Journal of Plant Protection Research (2016) 56, 60-66

Arnika Przybylska, Zaneta Fiedler and Aleksandra Obrepalska-Steplowska (2016)
PCR-RFLP method to distinguish Frankliniella occidentalis, Frankliniella intonsa, Frankliniella pallida and Frankliniella tenuicornis
Journal of Plant Protection Research 56 (1), 60-66
Abstract: Thrips from the genus Frankliniella (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) are phytophagous on crops and wild plants. Some of them cause slight economic damage, however, others including F. occidentalis and F. intonsa are responsible for considerable losses in crop production. Moreover, they constitute a double threat for host plants by not only feeding on them but also vectoring viruses, some of which are on the quarantined list of the European Plant Protection Organization. The rapid detection and differentiation between more and less harmful Frankliniella species is, therefore, important in order to combat the pests at the time of their appearance. In this study, we have undertaken to develop a method of detecting F. occidentalis, F. intonsa, F. pallida, and F. tenuicornis. The protocol is based on PCR amplification of ITS1 rDNA fragments of these insects using universal primers pair giving products of slightly distinct length for studied insects. Restriction enzymes digestion which is easy to interpret, allows for visible differentiation of all these Frankliniella species. The method was shown to be species-specific and sensitive. Even single specimens in either the larvae or adult stage could be distinguished.
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Database assignments for author(s): Aleksandra Obrepalska-Steplowska, Zaneta Fiedler

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
identification/taxonomy
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Frankliniella occidentalis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	Poland
	Frankliniella intonsa	Gentiana (crop)	Poland
	Frankliniella tenuicornis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Poland
	Frankliniella pallida		Poland