TY - JOUR
T1 - PCR-Based Gut Content Analysis to Detect Predation of Eriococcus ironsidei (Hemiptera
T2 - Eriococcidae) by Coccinellidae Species in Macadamia Nut Orchards in Hawaii
AU - Gutierrez-Coarite, Rosemary
AU - Yoneishi, Nicole M.
AU - Pulakkatu-Thodi, Ishakh
AU - Mollinedo, Javier
AU - Calla, Bernarda
AU - Wright, Mark G.
AU - Geib, Scott M.
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to acknowledge Randy Mochizuqui, Walter Parada, Yudi Lima, Wilbert Malepe, and Angela Kauwe for their assistance in collecting and rearing the beetles and the macadamia felted coccid used in this study. Funding was provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) (Contract # 64238), Royal Hawaiian Orchards, and Olson & Trust Farms.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/4/2
Y1 - 2018/4/2
N2 - Macadamia felted coccid, Eriococcus ironsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) was first found infesting macadamia trees in the island of Hawaii in 2005. Macadamia felted coccid infests all above-ground parts of trees to feed and reproduce. Their feeding activity distorts and stunts new growth which causes yellow spotting on older leaves, and when population densities become high, branch dieback occurs. Different predatory beetles have been observed in macadamia nut trees infested by E. ironsidei, the most abundant were Halmus chalybeus, Curinus coeruleus, Scymnodes lividigaster, Rhyzobius forestieri, and Sticholotis ruficeps. To verify predation of E. ironsidei by these beetles, a molecular assay was developed utilizing species-specific primers to determine presence in gut content of predators. Using these primers for PCR analysis, wild predator beetles were screened for the presence of E. ironsidei DNA. Analysis of beetles collected from macadamia orchards revealed predation by H. chalybeus, C. coeruleus, S. lividigaster, R. forestieri, and S. ruficeps on E. ironsidei. This study demonstrates that these beetles may play an important role in controlling the population of E. ironsidei, and these predators may be useful as biocontrol agents for E. ironsidei.
AB - Macadamia felted coccid, Eriococcus ironsidei (Williams) (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) was first found infesting macadamia trees in the island of Hawaii in 2005. Macadamia felted coccid infests all above-ground parts of trees to feed and reproduce. Their feeding activity distorts and stunts new growth which causes yellow spotting on older leaves, and when population densities become high, branch dieback occurs. Different predatory beetles have been observed in macadamia nut trees infested by E. ironsidei, the most abundant were Halmus chalybeus, Curinus coeruleus, Scymnodes lividigaster, Rhyzobius forestieri, and Sticholotis ruficeps. To verify predation of E. ironsidei by these beetles, a molecular assay was developed utilizing species-specific primers to determine presence in gut content of predators. Using these primers for PCR analysis, wild predator beetles were screened for the presence of E. ironsidei DNA. Analysis of beetles collected from macadamia orchards revealed predation by H. chalybeus, C. coeruleus, S. lividigaster, R. forestieri, and S. ruficeps on E. ironsidei. This study demonstrates that these beetles may play an important role in controlling the population of E. ironsidei, and these predators may be useful as biocontrol agents for E. ironsidei.
KW - natural enemy
KW - pest management
KW - predator
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U2 - 10.1093/jee/toy019
DO - 10.1093/jee/toy019
M3 - Article
C2 - 29474561
AN - SCOPUS:85045152673
VL - 111
SP - 885
EP - 891
JO - Journal of Economic Entomology
JF - Journal of Economic Entomology
SN - 0022-0493
IS - 2
ER -