Genetic variation and the performance of a mass‐reared parasitoid, <i><scp>T</scp>richogramma pretiosum</i> (<scp>H</scp>ymenoptera: <scp>T</scp>richogrammatidae), in laboratory trials

Guzmán-Larralde, Adriana; Cerna-Chávez, Ernesto; Rodríguez-Campos, Edmundo Mario; Loyola-Licea, Juan Carlos; Stouthamer, Richard

doi:10.1111/jen.12073

Cited by 10 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The effects of long-term mass rearing on the quality and performance of commercial biocontrol agents such as A. swirskii in natural or semi-natural environments are largely unknown (e.g., Tayeh et al, 2012;Guzm an-Larralde et al, 2014;Rasmussen et al, 2018). Selection, inbreeding, and random genetic drift may lead to loss of genetic variability, loss of fitness, and reduced field performance of the mass-reared biocontrol agents (Mackauer, 1976).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of mass rearing on the genetic diversity of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

Paspati

Ferguson

Verhulst

et al. 2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a predatory mite used to control whiteflies and thrips in protected crops. This biocontrol agent, originating from the Eastern Mediterranean region, has been mass-reared for commercial use since 2005 and is widely used in augmentative biocontrol programs. As a polyphagous predator, it has to cope with different biotic and abiotic factors. However, possible adaptation to mass rearing for production might be hindering its resilience and capacity for optimum performance in the field. In this study, we investigated the effect of long-term mass rearing on the genetic diversity of A. swirskii. We identified six microsatellite loci from wholegenome nanopore sequencing of A. swirskii and used these in a comparative analysis of the genetic diversity and differentiation in eight wild populations collected from Israel in 2017 and a commercially available population. Our results indicate that the commercial population is 2.59 less heterozygous than the wild A. swirskii. Furthermore, the commercial population has the highest genetic differentiation from all the natural populations, as indicated by higher pairwise F st values. Overall, we show that commercially reared A. swirskii have reduced genetic variation compared to their wild counterparts, which may reduce their performance when released to control pests in an integrated pest management (IPM) context.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of mass rearing on the genetic diversity of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

Paspati

Ferguson

Verhulst

et al. 2019

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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“…A powerful application of population genetics in biocontrol is monitoring of agents released into the field (Figure 4A), allowing for the assessment of their impact on existing natural enemies and monitoring their performance. Traditional neutral markers have been successfully used for performance monitoring of released strains (Hufbauer, 2004;Kazmer, Luck, & Mar, 2007;Guzmán-Larralde et al, 2014). However, high density population genomic methods, such as GBS, allow for more detailed tracking of the introgression of the genetic material into previously released populations (Stouthamer & Nunney, 2014).…”

Section: Microbiomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Next Generation Biological Control: The Need for Integrating Genetics and Evolution

Leung¹,

Ras²,

Ferguson³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Biological control is widely successful for controlling pests, but effective biocontrol agents are now more difficult to obtain due to more restrictive international trade laws. Coupled with increasing demand, the efficacy of existing and new biocontrol agents needs to be improved with genetic and genomic approaches. Although they have been underutilised in the past, applying genetic and genomic techniques is becoming more feasible from both technological and economic perspectives. We review current methods and provide a framework for using them, incorporating evolutionary and ecological principles. First, it is necessary to identify which biocontrol trait to select and in what direction. Next, the genes or markers linked to these traits need be determined to better target their selection, followed by how to implement this information into a breeding program. Choosing a trait can be assisted by modelling to account for the proper agro-ecological context, and by knowing which traits have sufficiently high heritability values. We provide guidelines for designing genomic strategies in biocontrol programs, which depends on the organism, budget, and desired objective. Genomic approaches start with genome sequencing and assembly. We provide a guide for deciding the most successful sequencing strategy for biocontrol agents. Gene discovery involves quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses, transcriptomic and proteomic studies, and gene editing. Improving biocontrol practices include marker-assisted selection, genomic selection and microbiome manipulation of biocontrol agents, and monitoring for genetic variation during rearing and post-release. We conclude by identifying the most promising applications of genetic and genomic methods to improve biological control efficacy.

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“…Where experiments use insects that have been reared for several generations in the laboratory, the interpretation of results relies implicitly on the assumption that laboratory reared insects respond the same way as wild insects. Although the laboratory culturing environment will always impose selection pressure on insects (Guzman‐Larralde et al ., , Zygouridis et al ., ), steps can be taken to maintain genetic diversity by minimizing population bottlenecks and maximizing the reproductive output of wild insects (Hopper & Roush, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field

et al. 2016

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Good culturing methods play an important role in the study of insect behavior and its application to pest management. Here, we describe and validate a new method for rearing the parasitoid wasp, Diachasmimorpha kraussii, which attacks some of the world's worst fruit fly pests and is an internationally used biological control agent. Our method differs from standard culturing approaches by presenting adult wasps with host-infested artificial media within a "culturing bag," which mimics a natural (fruit) oviposition substrate. In laboratory trials using wild collected D. kraussii, the culturing bag method was compared to the use of host-infested nectarines, and a commonly used laboratory method of presenting host-infested artificial media within Petri dishes. The culturing bag method proved to be a significant improvement on both methods, combining the advantages of high host survival in artificial media with parasitism levels that were the equivalent to those recorded using host-infested fruits. In our field study, culturing bags infested with the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni, and hung in a mixed peach and nectarine orchard proved to be effective "artificial fruits" attracting wild D. kraussii for oviposition. Significantly more adult wasps were reared from the culturing bags compared to field collected fruits. This was shown to be due to higher fruit fly larval density in the bags, as similar percentage parasitism rates were found between the culturing bags and ripe fruits. We discuss how this cheap, time-efficient method could be applied to collecting and monitoring wild D. kraussii populations in orchards, and assist in maintaining genetic variability in parasitoid laboratory cultures.

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Genetic variation and the performance of a mass‐reared parasitoid, Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), in laboratory trials

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

Effect of mass rearing on the genetic diversity of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

Effect of mass rearing on the genetic diversity of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

Next Generation Biological Control: The Need for Integrating Genetics and Evolution

An improved culturing method for opiine fruit fly parasitoids and its application to parasitoid monitoring in the field

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