** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WOLBACHIA, A MATERNALLY TRANSMITTED BACTERIA THAT ALTERS THE REPRODUCTION AND PHYSIOLOGY OF ARTHROPODS, IS IMPLICATED IN MANAGING INSECT PESTS. DESPITE THE POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES OF USING WOLBACHIA-INFECTED INSECTS, SPECIFICALLY PARASITOID WASPS, AS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS (BCAS) OF AGRICULTURAL PESTS, HOW WOLBACHIA MANIPULATE HOST BIOLOGY AND EFFECTIVELY ALTER SEX DETERMINATION IS UNKNOWN. THE DEMAND FOR MORE EFFECTIVE BCAS IS RISING AS ARTHROPOD PESTS GAIN RESISTANCE TO CHEMICAL PESTICIDES AND THE ENVIRONMENT IS DAMAGED DUE TO MODERN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. EMPLOYING FUNCTIONAL GENOMIC, PROTEOMIC AND SYNTHETIC BIOLOGICAL METHODS IN THE CHARACTERIZATION OF WOLBACHIA PROTEINS THAT POTENTIALLY CAUSE THIS CHANGE IN INSECT PHYSIOLOGY WILL DETERMINE UNDERLYING MECHANISMS OF THE INSECT MICROBE INTERACTIONS. UNDERSTANDING THE BIOLOGY OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS ALREADY IN USE IS ESSENTIAL IN DEVELOPING MORE EFFECTIVE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND NOVEL AGENTS IN THE FUTURE.