U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            De Leon, Jesusitem
                                            NEUMANN, GABOR - Collaboratoritem
                                            Follett, Peteritem
                                            Hollingsworth, Robert
  Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2010
                                    Publication  Date: 6/2/2010
                                    Citation: De Leon, J.H., Neumann, G., Follett, P.A., Hollingsworth, R.G. 2010. Molecular markers discriminate closely related species, Encarsia diaspidicola and E. berlesei (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): Biocontrol candidate agents for white peach scale in Hawaii. Journal of Economic Entomology. 103(3):908-916.Interpretive Summary: We genetically characterized Encarsia diapsidicola Silvestri and E. berlesei Howard (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) by two molecular methods: phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) and ISSR-PCR DNA fingerprinting.  These two closely related endoparasitoids are candidate biological control agents for the white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozetti (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), in Hawaii.  We developed species-specific COI molecular markers that discriminated the two species and we tested the utility of the E. diaspidicola-specific COI marker to detect parasitism of white peach scale.  The COI sequence data uncovered 46 base pair differences between the two Encarsia spp.  The level of COI genetic divergence between the two species was 9.7% and the two clustered into their own clade on a parsimonious phylogram.  ISSR-PCR readily discriminated the two Encarsia spp. as each was observed with fixed species-specific banding patterns.  The COI molecular markers were specific for each species as cross-reactivity was not observed with non-target species.  The E. diaspidicola-specific COI markers were successful at detecting parasitism of white peach scale by E. diaspidicola by 24 h.  Both molecular marker types successfully discriminated the two Encarsia spp., while the COI markers will be useful as tools to assess levels of parasitism in the field and to study competitive interactions between parasitoids.
                                Technical Abstract: The white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targioni-Tozetti (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), is a serious economic pest of papaya in Hawaii.  The endoparasitoid Encarsia diaspidicola Silvestri (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was imported from Samoa into quarantine in Hawaii to be evaluated for potential release against this pest.  Another potential candidate is closely related E. berlesei Howard.   These two species have been considered synonyms by some workers.  We genetically characterized E. diapsidicola and E. berlesei by phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) and ISSR-PCR DNA fingerprinting.  We developed species-specific COI molecular markers that could distinguish the two species.  We tested the utility of the E. diaspidicola-specific COI markers to detect parasitism of white peach scale.  The COI sequence data uncovered 46 base pair differences between the two Encarsia spp., and eight of these led to amino acid substitutions.  The level of COI genetic divergence between the two species was 9.7%, and the two clustered into their own clade on a parsimonious phylogram.  DNA fingerprinting readily discriminated the two Encarsia spp., as each was observed with fixed species-specific banding patterns, making ISSR-PCR an efficient molecular tool.  The COI markers were specific for each species as cross-reactivity was not observed with non-target species.  The E. diaspidicola-specific COI markers were successful at detecting parasitism of white peach scale by E. diaspidicola by 24 h.  These molecular markers will be useful as a tool to assess levels of parasitism in the field and to study competitive interactions between parasitoids.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov