Explanation – Wolbachia is a genus of bacteria that infects many arthropods, including insects like mosquitoes and wasps. The bacteria manipulate their hosts’ reproductive systems. In mosquitoes, Wolbachia is used to reduce the spread of diseases like dengue and Zika by interfering with mosquito reproduction and virus transmission. Similarly, Wolbachia manipulates the reproduction of the wasp ‘Encarsia formosa’ to eliminate male offspring. Wolbachia bacteria are present in insect eggs, but they are absent in the sperm.

Source: The Hindu