Genome analysis of putative symbiotic bacteria of tephritid fruit flies.

Tephritid fruit flies are important agricultural pests around the world. The Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies are currently controlled in North America through Sterile Insect Technique programs that require the mass rearing, sterilization and release of sterile males in agricultural areas. Previous studies of the fly microbiota in rearing facilities have shown that Klebsiella spp. can have beneficial effects for the flies. Whole genome analysis of these bacteria will provide insights into their possible symbiotic roles based on bacterial metabolic potential.