Bulletin of Entomological Research (2010) 100, 569-579

M.-S. Tixier, M. Ferrero, M. Okassa, S. Guichou and S. Kreiter (2010)
On the specific identity of specimens of Phytoseiulus longipes Evans (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) showing different feeding behaviours: morphological and molecular analyses
Bulletin of Entomological Research 100 (5), 569-579
Abstract: This paper focuses on the differentiation of specimens, identified as Phytoseiulus longipes, collected in four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile and South Africa. Two of these populations are known to feed and develop on Tetranychus evansi, whereas the two others do not. As morphologically similar specimens can sometimes belong to different species and because differences in predatory behaviours exist among the four populations considered, we tested for the presence of cryptic species. Morphological and molecular experiments (12S rDNA) were carried out. The four studied populations of P. longipes could be morphologically differentiated thanks to a combination of characters. However, these morphological differences are very small. The two populations that feed and develop on T. evansi (from Argentina and Brazil) are morphologically closer to each other than to the two other populations. Genetic distances among the four populations of P. longipes were very low, suggesting that despite their different feeding habits, all specimens belong to the same species. However, the populations associated with T. evansi showed some genetic differentiation from those that do not use this pest. This is the first time that this type of differentiation has been reported for the family Phytoseiidae. These results are of primary importance to ensure the success of biological control programs and to develop strains adapted to both crops and prey species.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Marie-Stéphane Tixier, Serge Kreiter

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
identification/taxonomy
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus evansi
Phytoseiulus longipes (predator)			South Africa
Phytoseiulus longipes (predator)			Argentina
Phytoseiulus longipes (predator)			Chile (continental)
Phytoseiulus longipes (predator)	Tetranychus evansi