Research Areas Molecular Population Genetics The research in my lab concentrates on two topics: 1. symbionts and sex ratio distortion in insects, 2. the use of molecular techniques to study population genetics, identification of cryptic species, biotypes and their origin. Symbionts and sex ratio distortion In many wasps species infections with symbiotic bacteria cause female biased sex ratios. Wolbachia bacteria induce parthenogenesis in their hosts and consequently infected wasps produce exclusively female progeny. We study the relationship between the Wolbachia and its host, mainly in wasps of the genus Trichogramma. We are doing a large field study in the Mojave Desert trying to understand the dynamics of the Wolbachia infection in the population of Trichogramma kaykai. In addition to studying fundamental aspects of this symbiosis, we also study applied aspects of the parthenogenesis Wolbachia. For biological control the use of parthenogenetic forms of wasp species can be considered an advantage because only female wasps kill pest insects by laying their eggs in or on the pest insect. We also study another sex ratio distorter; one that causes fertilized eggs destined to be females to develop into males. This Paternal Sex Ratio (PSR) chromosome is an extremely selfish genetic element that propagates itself by destroying all the wasp chromosomes it contacts. We are trying to understand the mechanism of the chromosome destruction. In addition to these fundamental questions we are also considering if the PSR chromosome can be used in population control of insects such as thrips, sawflies, ants etc. Molecular techniques for population studies We apply various molecular techniques such as microsatellites, AFLP, RAPD etc. in population studies. These methods are used to determine mating structure of populations (important for the dynamics of sex ratio distorters), the origin of introduced species, gene flow between populations and to simplify identification of cryptic species.