Why has the microbe Wolbachia evolved mechanisms to alter the sex ratio of fruit flies and mosquitos?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wolbachia is a maternally inherited bacteria that is passed down from infected mothers to their offspring through the eggs. In order to ensure its transmission to future generations, Wolbachia has evolved mechanisms to bias the sex ratio of its host population towards females, which are more likely to be infected and thus pass the bacteria to their offspring. By reducing the number of males in the population, Wolbachia increases the relative proportion of infected females, thereby increasing its spread throughout the host population.

Why Has the Microbe Wolbachia Evolved Mechanisms to Alter the Sex