Evidence for a cryptic parasitoid species reveals its suitability as a biological control agent

Seehausen, M. Lukas; Ris, Nicolas; Driss, Laetitia; Racca, Alessandro; Girod, Pierre; Warot, Sylvie; Borowiec, Nicolas; Toševski, Ivo; Kenis, Marc

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-76180-5

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(87 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, the two figitids had narrower physiological host ranges, especially the more host-specific populations of G. brasiliensis (G1 and G3) (Daane et al 2016;Giorgini et al 2019;Girod et al 2018b;Matsuura et al 2018;Nomano et al 2017;Seehausen et al 2021). Moreover, host phylogeny strongly influenced the success rate of parasitism in both figitids.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Other researchers reported that G1 populations collected from D. suzukii-infested cherries in Japan specialize on D. suzukii (Girod et al 2018b;Matsuura et al 2018;Nomano et al 2017). Seehausen et al (2021) suggest G1 and G3 are, in fact, cryptic species that can be differentiated by acid-soluble insect protein spectra, some host-searching behaviors, and incompatible crossing.…”

Section: Host Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Asobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) are Asian larval parasitoids of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). This study evaluated these parasitoids’ capacity to attack and develop from 24 non-target drosophilid species. Results showed that all three parasitoids were able to parasitize host larvae of multiple non-target species in artificial diet; A. japonica developed from 19 tested host species, regardless of the phylogenetic position of the host species, L. japonica developed from 11 tested species; and G. brasiliensis developed from only four of the exposed species. Success rate of parasitism (i.e., the probability that an adult wasp successfully emerged from a parasitized host) by the two figitid parasitoids was low in hosts other than the three species in the melanogaster group (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. suzukii). The failure of the figitids to develop in most of the tested host species appears to correspond with more frequent encapsulation of the parasitoids by the hosts. The results indicate that G. brasiliensis is the most host specific to D. suzukii, L. japonica attacks mainly species in the melanogaster group and A. japonica is a generalist, at least physiologically. Overall, the developmental time of the parasitoids increased with the host’s developmental time. The body size of female A. japonica (as a model species) was positively related to host size, and mature egg load of female wasps increased with female body size. We discuss the use of these parasitoids for classical biological control of D. suzukii.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Host Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Biological control is a promising route to reduce D. suzukii infestation using natural enemies and insect pathogens (Becher et al 2018;Biondi et al 2020;Daane et al 2016;Gabarra et al 2015;Lee et al 2019;Wolf et al 2020). Findings on the specificity of parasitoids with respect to Drosophila host species, different fruit species as well as fruit ripeness give grounds for hope toward the development of biological control (Girod et al 2018;Wolf et al 2020;Biondi et al 2020;Seehausen et al 2020). In our trap captures, nontargeted Coleopterans and Hymenopterans were recorded but not identified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…The possible existence of natural enemies in the area warrants follow-up studies. Generally, D. suzukii is not limited to sites of fruit production but is often found in forests or unmanaged areas which emphasizes the need for area-wide and long-term control strategies exploiting approaches such as biological control or the sterile insect technique (Haye et al 2016;Seehausen et al 2020;Nikolouli et al 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, in continental sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, is an insect pest of soft-skinned fruit, native to Eastern Asia. Since 2008, a world-wide dispersal of D. suzukii is seen, characterized by the establishment of the pest in many Asian, American and European countries. While the potential for invasion of continental Africa by D. suzukii has been predicted, its presence has only been shown for Morocco in Northern Africa. Knowledge about a possible establishment in other parts of the continent is needed as a basis for pest management. In 2019, we carried out a first survey in three counties in Kenya to monitor for the presence of D. suzukii using traps baited with a blend of apple cider vinegar and red wine. A total of 389 D. suzukii flies were captured in a fruit farm at Nakuru county, with more female flies being trapped than males. We confirmed the morphological identification of D. suzukii using DNA barcoding. In 2020, we performed a follow-up survey at 14 locations in six counties to delimit the distribution of D. suzukii in the main berry growing zones in Kenya. The survey indicated that so far D. suzukii is restricted to Nakuru county where it was initially detected. This is the first study to provide empirical evidence of D. suzukii in continental sub-Saharan Africa, confirming that the pest is expanding its geographic range intercontinentally. Given the high dispersal potential of D. suzukii, a concerted effort to develop management strategies is a necessity for containment of the pest.

show abstract

“…For example, were O. labotus to be considered for biological control of an invasive oak-galling wasp, selecting a population to draw from based on a concept of O. labotus prior to this paper would likely result in failure (1/N; where N is the number of new OTUs), whereas we now know that host ranges are narrow and careful selection from appropriate sources would be important. Several prominent examples demonstrate the importance of this idea to parasitoids of insect agricultural pests (e.g., Heraty et al 2007, Forbes et al 2009, Hood et al 2015, Paterson et al 2016, Seehausen et al 2020 From a basic science standpoint, clarifying the putative axes along which lineages specialize, as well as which components play crucial roles in species diversification will improve our ability to study how parasites evolve. Many studies have used host range data to ask synthetic questions about the relationship between host specialization and diversification (Winkler and Mitter 2008, Armbruster and Muchhala 2009, Novotny et al 2012, Ebel et al 2015, Forbes et al 2017.…”

Section: Hidden Specialists -Why It Mattersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae): another generalist that should not be a generalist is not a generalist

Sheikh

Ward

Zhang

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Several recent reappraisals of supposed generalist parasite species have revealed hidden complexes of species, each with considerably narrower host ranges. Parasitic wasps that attack gall-forming insects on plants have life history strategies that are thought to promote specialization, and though many species are indeed highly specialized, others have been described as generalist parasites. Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae) is one such apparent generalist, with rearing records spanning more than 65 host galls associated with a diverse set of oak tree species and plant tissues. We pair a molecular approach with morphology, host ecology, and phenological data from across a wide geographic sample to test the hypothesis that this supposed generalist is actually a complex of several more specialized species. We find 16–18 putative species within the morphological species O. labotus, each reared from only 1–6 host gall types, though we identify no single unifying axis of specialization. We also find cryptic habitat specialists within two other named Ormyrus species. Our study suggests that caution should be applied when considering host ranges of parasitic insects described solely by morphological traits, particularly given their importance as biocontrol organisms and their role in biodiversity and evolutionary studies.

show abstract

Evidence for a cryptic parasitoid species reveals its suitability as a biological control agent

Cited by 37 publications

References 46 publications

Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

Detection of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, in continental sub-Saharan Africa

Ormyrus labotus Walker (Hymenoptera: Ormyridae): another generalist that should not be a generalist is not a generalist

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About