Abstract
Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) is an oligophagous species of plants in the Solanaceae family that has a broad geographical distribution in the tropical zones of South America. It is the most important insect pest of naranjilla (Solanum quitoense Lamarck), a crop grown in threatened areas of the tropical old-growth forest in Ecuador. In this study, two host-specific populations of N. elegantalis were collected from infested fruit of naranjilla and tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cavanilles) in different locations. Sexually virgin adult insects (93 females and 103 males) were dissected to extract their genitalia to measure 12 morphological variables in females and six in males, resulting in six and four informative variables respectively. Using univariate and multivariate analysis of variance, it was found that the Solanaceous host was the main factor differentiating the area measurements of the seventh abdominal segment and ostium bursae in female genitalia, and cornuti length in male genitalia. Principal components generated with these measurements were employed in a logistic regression model for the classification of the Solanaceous host. Female genitalia of individuals from S. betaceum showed significantly larger ostium bursae relative to female genitalia from S. quitoense. For males, individuals collected from S. betaceum showed longer cornuti length than samples collected from S. quitoense. The results suggest genotypic differentiation according to the Solanaceous host or phenotypic plasticity in N. elegantalis. Further molecular and bio-geographical studies are needed to properly differentiate N. elegantalis populations that would help in the control of this pest.
Highlights
IntroductionRecent studies on the biology of the fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée, 1984)
The present study evaluate the possibility of different biotypes of N. elegantalis in Ecuador, using genitalia morphometric aims to evaluate the possibility of different biotypes of N. elegantalis in Ecuador, using genitalia measures of virgin adult specimens of N. elegantalis in two Solanaceae crops, S. quitoense morphometric measures of virgin adult specimens found of N. elegantalis found in fruit two Solanaceae fruit and betaceum, collected from different areas of crops, S. quitoense and S. betaceum, collected from different areas of Ecuador
Significant differences were found for host plant factor in the cornuti length (RCL) in the ANOVA analysis (Table 2)
Summary
Recent studies on the biology of the fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée, 1984). In Ecuador, this pest is present in all the regions where naranjilla (S. quitoense) is grown. The. In Ecuador, this pest is present all the naranjilla (S. quitoense) is grown. The fruit fruit borer directly affects the fruitinpulp byregions boring where and feeding on the fruit mesocarp, producing borer directly affects fruit pulpberries by boring and feeding on the fruit mesocarp, producing galleries inside thethe developing [4] resulting in significant losses in production andgalleries fruit inside the developing berries [4] resulting in significant losses in production and fruit quality. Elegantalisisisendemic endemicinintropical tropical rainforest rainforest regions N.N. elegantalis regions of of Ecuador, Ecuador, specificallyininthe theAndean The fruit fruit borer directly affects the fruitinpulp byregions boring where and feeding on the fruit mesocarp, producing borer directly affects fruit pulpberries by boring and feeding on the fruit mesocarp, producing galleries inside thethe developing [4] resulting in significant losses in production andgalleries fruit inside the developing berries [4] resulting in significant losses in production and fruit quality. quality.
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