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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #90470
Title: PCR TECHNIQUES FOR DISTINGUISHING THREE SPECIES AND TWO STRAINS OF APHELINUS (HYMENOPTERA: APHELINIDAE) FROM CEREAL APHIDS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)

Author
item Zhu, Yu Cheng
item Greenstone, Matthew

Submitted to: Molecular Insect Science International Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ribosomal DNA sequences for the internal transcribed space 2 (ITS2) were cloned and sequenced from Aphelinus albipodus, A. varipes, and two strains of A. asychis, endoparasitoids that were released against the Russian wheat aphid (RWA), Diuraphis noxia. The polymerase chain reaction using primers designed on the basis of these rDNA sequences, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis, successfully distinguishes all four Aphelinus populations from each other and from the RWA and another economically important cereal aphid, the greenbug (GB), Schizaphis graminum. Two additional strains of A. asychis and a post-release population of A. albipodus are also correctly identified to species with these primers. Using this technique, A. asychis DNA is detectable in a parasitized RWA 24 h after parasitization. The sensitivity is 1/1000 adult wasp DNA equivalent.