Molecular Identification of Cassava Arthropod Pest Complex in the Philippines

Abstract

Cassava productivity is severely affected by arthropod pests, which cause damage through feeding and vector transmission. The complex nature of these pests, with morphologically similar species and small sizes, presents challenges in accurately identifying and implementing effective control measures. Accurate identification of arthropod pests infesting cassava in the field is crucial for successful pest management and mitigating the risk of introducing exotic pests through cassava trade and changing climate conditions. Thus, we employed DNA barcoding to generate genetic barcodes of the cassava arthropod pest complex found in major cassava growing areas in the Philippines. Identification to species level was achieved using molecular works with prior morphological identification. Molecular identification offers accurate species resolution of the cassava pest complex even at immature stages, typically hard to identify.