Applied Entomology and Zoology (2010) 45, 395-404

Muhammad Ashfaq, Ali Raza Noor and Shahid Mansoor (2010)
DNA-based characterization of an invasive mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) species damaging cotton in Pakistan
Applied Entomology and Zoology 45 (3), 395-404
Abstract: A mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) has emerged as a new cotton pest in Pakistan in recent years. We used DNA nucleotide sequences and PCR-RFLP, respectively, as tools for mealybug characterization and species composition. Partial nucleotide sequences of nuclear (elongation factor-1 alpha, ribosomal DNA subunits 18S and 28S) and mitochondrial (COI) genes were used for species characterization, and the combined ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences of rDNA were used for PCR-RFLP analyses. Homology searches of the nuclear genes indicated that the mealybug species damaging cotton in Pakistan belonged to the genus Phenacoccus. Further, the barcoding sequence of COI showed a significant nucleotide similarity with Phenacoccus solenopsis. PCR-RFLP analysis with three different endonucleases did not show restriction site differences among mealybug individuals collected from various host plants and geographical locations. This is the first DNA-based characterization of cotton mealybug from Pakistan and the findings will help in decision making while considering a biological control program.
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Database assignments for author(s): Muhammad Ashfaq, Shahid Mansoor

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes
identification/taxonomy

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phenacoccus solenopsis	Cotton (Gossypium)	Pakistan