Multiple causes of male-killing in a single sample of the two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae) from Moscow

Thirty-six matrilines from a single Muscovite sample of Adalia bipunctata w ere assayed, using appropriate primers, for presence of the four male-killi ng symbionts known to infect this species of ladybird. All four, a Ricketts ia, a Spiroplasma and two different strains of Wolbachia, were found to be present. Vertical transmission efficiencies were assessed from F-1 and F-2 families from each of the matrilines, and were found to differ significantl y between symbionts. Potential explanations of the presence of four differe nt male-killing symbionts within a single population, are considered.