To Pest control of agriculture crops employs various strategies, with the use of natural enemies being one of the most common methods in integrated pest management. Orius laevigatus (Fieber 1860) is a hemipteran predator that serves as a biological control agent for small pests like thrips in all over the world including Iran. Endosymbiotic bacteria are widespread in insects and mites, playing a crucial role in the ecology and evolution of their hosts. In some cases, they can significantly impact biological control. These bacteria are primarily transmitted vertically, from mothers to their offspring. In this study, the endosymbionts of O. laevigatus were identified by using specific PCR with primers targeting wsp and 16s rRNA, and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma in O. laevigatus. To determine the prevalence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasm infections in O. laevigatus, diagnostic PCR was performed on 30 male and female insects. The findings revealed that 86% and 90% of females and males, respectively, were infected with Spiroplasma, while Wolbachia infection rates were 26% and 13% for females and males, respectively. Considering the significance of these symbionts in the fecundity and reproduction of their hosts, it appears that the symbionts may have a role in in O. laevigatus that is yet to be fully understood.
