Bulletin of Entomological Research (2005) 95, 349-359
P. Hondelmann, C. Borgemeister and H.-M. Poehling (2005)
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of different DNA regions as genetic markers in the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Bulletin of Entomological Research 95 (4), 349-359
Abstract: A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis using mitochondrial (A+T-rich region; mtDNA) and genomic (zen-region; nDNA) DNA was performed on 182 female individuals of Episyrphus balteatus (DeGeer), a widespread aphidophagous hoverfly with supposed migratory behaviour. Specimens originated from 13 sampling sites in six European countries. The analyses revealed 12 and 18 haplotypes, respectively, for the two DNA types, several of them with a wide distribution, although seven and eight haplotypes, respectively, occurred only in one location. In contrast to other studies on mobile insects, the genetic diversity was relatively high. However, lack of population subdivision, low genetic distances between populations, the very high gene flow rates, and the complete lack of isolation by distance suggest that E. balteatus populations are largely connected and that there is an absence of large-scale geographic structuring. These results support the hypothesis that E. balteatus is a migratory hoverfly species, capable of moving over large distances. These findings related to the seasonal migrations of this species are discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Christian Borgemeister, Hans-Michael Poehling, Peter Hondelmann
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
molecular biology - genes
population dynamics/epizootiology
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episyrphus balteatus (predator) |
