The bud midge Prodiplosis floricola in citrus crops in Colombia

Abstract

Sampling performed in flower buds of citrus in Colombia allowed the detection of the presence of Prodiplosis longifila Gagné and Prodiplosis floricola Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). The polyphagous P. longifila is a pest of Solanaceae, but whether both species cause economic losses in citrus is unknown. These congeneric species are indistinguishable in the larval stage, and their morphological identification, which is complex, is performed on adult males. This study comprises a morphological description and characterization of the damage generated by P. floricola larvae feeding on the flowers of key lime, Citrus × aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle (pro. sp.), and Tahiti lime, Citrus × latifolia Tanaka ex Q. Jiménez (Rutaceae), as well as a population genetical analysis of the insect. Prodiplosis floricola was found in the localities of Támesis (Antioquia), Garzón (Huila), and Palmira and Zarzal (Valle del Cauca). These populations were characterized by COI and ITS2 molecular markers, with a moderate genetic structure found that cannot be explained by the geographic distance between the populations. The haplotype distribution pattern indicates that the populations are composed of highly differentiated haplotypes of equivalent frequencies, which suggests that the Colombian populations of P. floricola are products of multiple introductions and that their dispersion between populations is attributable to anthropic transport. Citrus in Colombia constitutes a new host for P. floricola and increases the known geographical range of the insect, as it has only been previously reported in Brazil and the USA. The molecular markers used in the present study are useful for early diagnosis of P. floricola in the larval stage and for future research on the population dynamics in citrus.

Parasitoids of Prodiplosis longifila Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and other Cecidomyiidae species in Colombia

“…The finding and taxonomic identification of Synopeas species in the present study open a new opportunity to explore their potential to be used in IPM programs in order to reduce the high input of pesticides against P. longifila in the tropics (Valarezo et al, 2003;Kroschel et al, 2012). It is unknown if P. longifila or P. floricola cause economic damage to Tahiti lime orchards in Colombia (Hernandez et al, 2015;Duque-Gamboa, 2017) and if that is the case, the results of the present study indicate that Synopeas aff. curvicauda would be the parasitoid species to be further investigated.…”

“…(Caryocaraceae) in Brazil (Gagné & Jaschhof, 2014). Recently P. floricola was reported feeding on Tahiti lime floral structures in Colombia (Duque-Gamboa, 2017. In Press.…”

Coupling Relationship between the Changes of Citrus Planting Structure and the Development of Regional Agricultural Economy in South China

“…The main reason is that China's citrus industry lacks cluster development and is not competitive. Therefore, how to promote cluster development and enhance the competitiveness of the citrus industry is the core issue of China's citrus industry [1][2]. South China, as the main production area of the citrus industry, has long pursued market expansion and sales volume without digging into the industry potential.…”

What makes an insect invasive? An introduction

“…Duque‐Gamboa et al. () investigated to what extent Prodiplosis floricola Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its congeneric Prodiplosis longifila Gagné, polyphagous pests of Solanaceae, are threatening the citrus industry in Colombia. Using genetic markers, they find that local fly populations are genetically well differentiated.…”

“…It reflects high gene flow and population density following the expansion of soybean production in the area. Duque-Gamboa et al (2018) investigated to what extent Prodiplosis floricola Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and its congeneric Prodiplosis longifila Gagn e, polyphagous pests of *Correspondence: E-mail: l.w.beukeboom@rug.nl Solanaceae, are threatening the citrus industry in Colombia. Using genetic markers, they find that local fly populations are genetically well differentiated.…”