Hosts are more important than destinations: What genetic variation in Microctonus aethiopoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) means for foreign exploration for natural enemies

Phillips, C.B.; Vink, Cornelis; Blanchet, Alain; Hoelmer, Kim A.

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.08.005

Cited by 30 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…This indicates the recent distribution of E. sasakii across much of the sampled range, whereas gene flow is prevented across different host groups, with all members of the basal clade isolated from a single scale insect species. While general conclusions can not be drawn based on this single species complex, there is a growing body of research indicating such host specificity is much more prevalent than previous diversity estimates suggest [10], [15], [18], [85], [86], [87], [88], [89], [90]. However, the route towards accurate estimates of diversity will be hindered by naive application of molecular sampling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Integrative Taxonomic Approach Reveals Host Specific Species in an Encyrtid Parasitoid Species Complex

Chesters

Wang

et al. 2012

PLoS ONE

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Integrated taxonomy uses evidence from a number of different character types to delimit species and other natural groupings. While this approach has been advocated recently, and should be of particular utility in the case of diminutive insect parasitoids, there are relatively few examples of its application in these taxa. Here, we use an integrated framework to delimit independent lineages in Encyrtus sasakii (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid morphospecies previously considered a host generalist. Sequence variation at the DNA barcode (cytochrome c oxidase I, COI) and nuclear 28S rDNA loci were compared to morphometric recordings and mating compatibility tests, among samples of this species complex collected from its four scale insect hosts, covering a broad geographic range of northern and central China. Our results reveal that Encyrtus sasakii comprises three lineages that, while sharing a similar morphology, are highly divergent at the molecular level. At the barcode locus, the median K2P molecular distance between individuals from three primary populations was found to be 11.3%, well outside the divergence usually observed between Chalcidoidea conspecifics (0.5%). Corroborative evidence that the genetic lineages represent independent species was found from mating tests, where compatibility was observed only within populations, and morphometric analysis, which found that despite apparent morphological homogeneity, populations clustered according to forewing shape. The independent lineages defined by the integrated analysis correspond to the three scale insect hosts, suggesting the presence of host specific cryptic species. The finding of hidden host specificity in this species complex demonstrates the critical role that DNA barcoding will increasingly play in revealing hidden biodiversity in taxa that present difficulties for traditional taxonomic approaches.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Integrative Taxonomic Approach Reveals Host Specific Species in an Encyrtid Parasitoid Species Complex

Chesters

Wang

et al. 2012

PLoS ONE

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“…Nevertheless, these data do indicate that biological control of pest weevils has enjoyed a higher level of success than would be expected on average, contrary to the observation of Waterhouse and Norris [20], working in the Pacific region, that weevils are poor candidates for biological control. More research effort has gone into biological control programs in recent years, for example to ensure an appropriate climate match between a BCA and its intended target (e.g., [75]), to assist in the exploration for the best-adapted biotypes or provenance of BCAs [76] and to ensure that the most effective natural enemy biotypes [40] are selected for introduction, and consequently success rates have increased [18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, following the identification of M. aethiopoides as a potentially suitable BCA, its native host range in Morocco was investigated and found to comprise weevil species in the genera Sitona Germar and Hypera Germar (Curculionidae: Hyperinae) [39]. Evidence was later presented for the existence of two sympatric biotypes of M. aethiopoides associated with Sitona and Hypera as hosts respectively [40]. As the parasitoids sent from Morocco to Australia and then to New Zealand were in the form of parasitised adult S. discoideus weevils [34], it has been assumed that the introduced parasitoids were Sitona-associated biotypes.…”

Section: Case Study: Microctonus Aethiopoides (Loan) For Biological Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weevils as Targets for Biological Control, and the Importance of Taxonomy and Phylogeny for Efficacy and Biosafety

2018

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Curculionidae are a large mainly herbivorous family of beetles, some of which have become crop pests. Classical biological control has been attempted for about 38 species in 19 genera, and at least moderate success has been achieved in 31 % of cases. Only two weevil species have been considered to be completely controlled by a biological control agent. Success depends upon accurately matching natural enemies with their hosts, and hence taxonomy and phylogeny play a critical role. These factors are discussed and illustrated with two case studies: the introduction of the braconid parasitoid Mictroctonus aethiopoides into New Zealand for biological control of the lucerne pest Sitona discoideus, a case of complex phylogenetic relationships that challenged the prediction of potential non-target hosts, and the use of a mymarid egg parasitoid, Anaphes nitens, to control species of the eucalypt weevil genus Gonipterus, which involves failure to match up parasitoids with the right target amongst a complex of very closely related species. We discuss the increasing importance of molecular methods to support biological control programmes and the essential role of these emerging technologies for improving our understanding of this very large and complex family.

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“…The larvae of the Neotropical Phelypera distigma (Boheman) display an apparently unique social behavior that seems to have a defensive function, resting in small groups in a distinct rosette formation (cycloalexy) and moving in processions on a chemical marker trail between food sources (Costa et al 2004). Thus, the egg parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Braconidae), mainly parasitizing eggs of Sitona and related genera of Sitonini (Entim inae) and imported into Australia and New Zealand for the biological control of Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal, also parasitize the eggs of Hypera species in France and Morocco (Phillips et al 2008;Barratt et al 2012). Likewise, eggs and pupae are parasitized by a range of parasitic Hymenoptera (Baccetti 1957(Baccetti , 1958Puttler et al 1973), including species normally attacking other weevils.…”

Section: 3 L) Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

3.7. Curculionidae Latreille, 1802

Oberprieler¹,

Caldara²,

Skuhrovec³

et al. 2014

Arthropoda: Insecta: Coleoptera

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Hosts are more important than destinations: What genetic variation in Microctonus aethiopoides (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) means for foreign exploration for natural enemies

Cited by 30 publications

References 46 publications

The Integrative Taxonomic Approach Reveals Host Specific Species in an Encyrtid Parasitoid Species Complex

The Integrative Taxonomic Approach Reveals Host Specific Species in an Encyrtid Parasitoid Species Complex

Weevils as Targets for Biological Control, and the Importance of Taxonomy and Phylogeny for Efficacy and Biosafety

3.7. Curculionidae Latreille, 1802

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