Formosan Entomologist (2007) 27, 327-339

Shu-Chen Chang and Chiu-Tung Lu (2007)
[Differentiation of Mallada basalis (Walker) and Mallada desjardinsi (Navás) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) by 18S rRNA]
Formosan Entomologist 27 (4), 327-339
Abstract: Mallada basalis (Walker) and Mallada desjardinsi (Navas) have been studied as biological control agents in Taiwan. Of the two green lacewings, Mallada basalis is being mass reared and used in pest control in Taiwan. Molecular techniques were applied to characterize these two green lacewings. Their partial 18S rRNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The pairwise similarity of sequences from the two species was 0.97. PCR with species-specific primers based on 18S rRNA sequences provided partial 18S products of 950 and 826 by differentiates, allowing these two species to be readily visualized after electrophoresis. Such species-specific PCR could be used to evaluate individuals for contamination during mass rearing of Mallada basalis, or to confirm the identity of field-collected specimens.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Mallada desjardinsi (predator)			Taiwan
Mallada basalis (predator)			Taiwan