Impacts of male-killing Spiroplasma on the metabolic rate and ectoparasite resistance capacity (endurance) of Drosophila

Ectoparasitic mites are hypothesized to horizontally transmit bacterial endosymbionts, especially male-killing Spiroplasma. In this study we test how Spiroplasma poulsonii MSRO affects fly physiology and behaviour, and potential mite interactions.