association with two (Heteroptera: Miridae) species: A comparative study of phylogenies and within-host localization patterns.

Many arthropods host bacterial symbionts, some of which are known to influence host nutrition and diet breadth. Omnivorous bugs of the genus (Heteroptera: Miridae) are mainly predatory, but may also feed on plants. The species eus and (=) are key natural enemies of various economically important agricultural pests, and are known to harbor two species, and . To test for possible involvement of symbiotic bacteria in the nutritional ecology of these biocontrol agents, the abundance, phylogeny, and distribution patterns of the two species in and were studied. Both of the species were found in 100 and 84% of all tested individuals of and respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that a co-evolutionary process between species and their is infrequent. Localization of and has been detected in both female and male of and . FISH analysis of female gonads revealed the presence of both species in the germarium of both bug species. Each of the two species displayed a unique distribution pattern along the digestive system of the bugs, mostly occupying separate epithelial cells, unknown caeca-like organs, the Malpighian tubules and the salivary glands. This pattern differed between the two species: in was distributed more broadly along the host digestive system and was located primarily in the foregut and midgut. In contrast, in , was more broadly distributed along the digestive system than the clustered . Taken together, these results suggest that may have a role in the nutritional ecology of their plant-and prey-consuming hosts.