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Wolbachia-infected Drosophila prefer cooler temperatures

Temperature plays a fundamental role in host-pathogen interactions. Wolbachia is an endosymbiont that infects about 40% of arthropod species, which can affect host behaviour and reproduction. The effect of Wolbachia on host thermoregulatory behaviour is largely unknown. Here, we used a thermal gradient to test whether Drosophila melanogaster infected with Wolbachia exhibit different temperature preferences ( T p ) to uninfected flies. We found that Wolbachia -infected flies preferred a cooler mean temperature ( T p = 25.06±0.25°C) than uninfected flies ( T p = 25.78±0.24°C). Our finding suggests that Wolbachia -infected hosts might seek out cooler microclimates to reduce exposure to and lessen the consequences of high temperatures.