Genetic variability of Dactylopius opuntiae (Homiptera, Dactylopiidae) on forage cactus in northeast Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The carmine cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae is a key pest in productive fields of forage cactus in Pernambuco, Brazil. Species identification by means of molecular markers assists in understanding the genetic profile, underpins morphological characterization, and supports the monitoring of populations in integrated management programs designed to control this pest. We evaluated the genetic variability of natural populations of D. opuntiae. Genetic variability was analyzed with ISSR and RAPD primers in 24 populations from 12 municipalities of Pernambuco State in Brazil. Morphological characterization confirmed that D. opuntiae was the only cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae and forage cactus species present in all samples. Nine ISSR primers and six RAPD produced a total of 62 and 58 polymorphic fragments, respectively. Both types of markers showed an average genetic similarity of 80% regardless of the geographic origin of samples. The low genetic variability demonstrates a high degree of relatedness among these D. opuntiae populations.

Efficacy of Biocontrol Agents Beauveria bassiana and Plant Extracts on Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

“…The extract of T. erecta promoted the death of more than 90% of the nymphs and adult females. Silva, Mergulhão, Medeiros, Figueiredo, and Burity (2013) There are few studies on the use of substances or extracts based on neem in the control of D. opuntiae in the field. Lopes, Albuquerque, Brito, and Batista (2009) verified the effect of Prev-Am (Sodium tetraborahydrate decahydrate) orange oil on D. opuntiae, in a giant palm plantation in the municipality of Monteiro (Paraíba State).…”

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“…This biotype is less aggressive than D. opuntiae and grows mainly on cladodes and fruits of the host plants (Chávez‐Moreno et al., ). Morphological and molecular studies conducted in 2013 on the natural populations of D. opuntiae in northeastern Brazil showed that it was the only cochineal species present in all samples, and its populations showed a low genetic variability, thus demonstrating a high degree of relatedness (Da Silva et al., ).…”

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