Fig. 4.

Asaia density and mosquito longevity in conventionally reared, antibiotic-treated, and Asaia-supplemented antibiotic-treated A. stephensi. (A) Levels of Asaia in control mosquitoes, antibiotic-treated mosquitoes, and antibiotic-treated mosquitoes supplemented with Asaia^R. Treating mosquitoes with an antibiotic mixture eliminates Asaia, whereas supplementation with Asaia^R in a sugar meal reestablishes the infection (ANOVA, ***P < 0.0001). Asaia levels in conventionally reared and Asaia^R supplemented mosquitoes are not significantly different (ANOVA, P = 0.06). Fractions represent the number of infected mosquitoes over the total number. Box and whiskers represent data quartiles and range, respectively. (B and C) Mosquito mortality trajectories after Wolbachia injection in mosquito lines pre- (B) and post-blood meal (C). Conventionally reared mosquitoes suffer slight fitness costs after injection and severe mortality after a blood meal, whereas antibiotic-treated mosquitoes do not suffer elevated mortality. Antibiotic-treated mosquitoes supplemented with Asaia^R exhibit a modest increase in mortality post-blood meal (ANOVA; letters a–c denote statistical significance P < 0.05). Green represents conventionally reared mosquitoes, orange the antibiotic-treated mosquitos, and purple the antibiotic-reared mosquitos supplemented with Asaia^R. Error bars in B and C represent SEM.