New insights into the interaction of the symbiotic bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola with the adult olive fly Bactrocera oleae combining microscopy and proteomics analyses

The fly is dependent upon the symbiotic bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola for the survival of the larvae in unripe olives, and in the adult stage they enhance fecundity. A major site of symbiont colonization is the esophageal bulb, yet the molecular interactions within this tissue remain poorly understood.

To investigate host gene expression in this symbiont-bearing organ, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of B. oleae esophageal bulbs. This dataset provides a foundational resource for elucidating the functional biology of this organ and offers insights into insect–microbe symbiosis.