Quality evaluation of laboratory populations of entomophages by DNA markers

Abstract

In order to increase the prospects of the use of entomophages for the natural and artificial regulation of the number of pests, it is necessary to study the genetic structure and genetic diversity of the populations of beneficial insects, which is an integral part of the monitoring of useful biota. The use of DNA-markers allows monitoring of both parasites and predators applied in biological plant protection programs. Using samples of the ectoparasite Habrobracon hebetor Say, the predatory beetles Harmonia axyridis Pall. and Adalia bipunctata L., the predatory bugs Perillus bioculatus F. and Podisus maculiventris Say, we carried out a comparative molecular genetic analysis of laboratory and natural populations of these entomophages using RAPD- and ISSR-markers. An original method has been elaborated for the quality evaluation of laboratory parent populations of entomophages, artificially grown for mass release into the agrocenoses, as bioagents in plant protection. This method is based on the evaluation of DNA polymorphism and genetic diversity of insect populations using RAPD- and ISSR-markers and can be used as a quality criterion for commercial lots of bioagents, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of biological protection of agricultural plants against harmful arthropods. The method of molecular genetic diagnostics can be used in the future to control the species composition and quality of the batch of parasitic and predatory entomophags imported from the countries of near and far abroad.