Development of a PCR ‐based method to monitor arthropod dispersal in agroecosystems: Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) from banker plants to tomato crops

AbstractDevelopment of conservation biological control programs requires the identification of sources that contribute to predator colonization of crops.Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an efficient polyphagous predator used in biological control programs in vegetable crops in Europe. We have developed a marking method based on spraying with a solution of the brine shrimpArtemia spp. (Anostraca: Artemiidae) cysts, followed by a PCR detection ofArtemia DNA to monitorM. pygmaeus dispersal from banker plants to tomato crops. Experiments conducted in climatic chambers show that the topical application of this marking solution onM. pygmaeus does not significantly reduce adult longevity and that it is detected up to 6 d after the application. When thisArtemia solution was applied onCalendula officinalis L. banker plants harboringM. pygmaeus and maintained outdoors,Artemia DNA was still detected on 62% of the insects after 6 d. The conducted field applications in commercial greenhouses have confirmed the usefulness of this method to monitorM. pygmaeus dispersal from banker plants to a newly planted tomato crop. This method can be used to assess arthropod movement, being an interesting molecular approach for further improving future pest management strategies.
Source: Insect Science - Category: Biology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research