Spotted Cucumber Beetle Research Articles

Plant versus pollinator protection: balancing pest management against floral contamination for insecticide use in Midwestern US cucurbits.

Controlling crop pests while conserving pollinators is challenging, particularly when prophylactically applying broad-spectrum, systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids. Systemic insecticides are often used in conventional agriculture in commercial settings, but the conditions that optimally balance pest management and pollination are poorly understood. We investigated how insecticide application strategies control pests and expose pollinators to insecticides with an observational study of cucurbit crops in the Midwestern United States. To define the window of protection and potential pollinator exposure resulting from alternative insecticide application strategies, we surveyed 62 farms cultivating cucumber, watermelon, or pumpkin across 2 yr. We evaluated insecticide regimes, abundance of striped and spotted cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum [Fabricius] and Diabrotica undecimpunctata Mannerheim), and insecticide residues in leaves, pollen, and nectar. We found that growers used neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and imidacloprid) at planting in all cucumber and pumpkin and approximately half of watermelon farms. In cucumber, foliar thiamethoxam levels were orders of magnitude higher than the other crops, excluding nearly all beetles from fields. In watermelon and pumpkin, neonicotinoids applied at planting resulted in 4-8wk of protection before beetle populations increased. Floral insecticide concentrations correlated strongly with foliar concentrations across all crops, resulting in high potential exposure to pollinators in cucumber and low-moderate exposure in pumpkin and watermelon. Thus, the highest-input insecticide regimes maintained cucumber beetles far below economic thresholds while also exposing pollinators to the highest pollen and nectar insecticide concentrations. In cucurbits, reducing pesticide inputs will likely better balance crop protection and pollination, reduce costs, and improve yields.

Effect of dose and trap type on captures of striped and spotted cucumber beetles using synthetic vittatalactone.

Striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.) and spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) are key pests of cucurbits. Pesticide applications directed against cucumber beetles can jeopardize bee pollination which is essential to crop yield. Alternative selective tactics, including behavioral control for managing cucumber beetles, are needed in order to improve pest management. The striped cucumber beetle pheromone vittatalactone is attractive to both male and female adults, and also to spotted cucumber beetles. We tested the response of both species to different doses of synthetic vittatalactone, and to different trap types, in field trapping experiments in Maryland. Both species showed strong dose-response in May-June and October 2020. Among 12 trap types tested during a 2-wk experiment in June, using 1 mg mixed vittatalactone, sticky panel traps caught the most of each species, with vittatalactone-baited traps exceeding unbaited traps by >8 fold for striped and >2 fold for spotted, and with significant response to yellow versus clear color absent in striped, but strong in spotted. Among nonsticky traps, those with yellow or yellow-green exceeded those without these colors for both beetle species, and a ground-placed boll weevil trap captured the most striped cucumber beetles. Bucket-style traps caught excessive nontarget bumblebees (Bombus spp.) if yellow, and a few beetles, if all green. Results allow field monitoring with a choice of sticky or nonsticky traps and suggested lure loading of 1 mg mixed vittatalactone, containing ~90 μg active isomer. These findings contribute to the development of multispecies behavioral monitoring and control as a component of cucurbit IPM.

Comparison of Row Cover Systems for Pest Management in Organic Muskmelon in Iowa

Organic growers of cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) crops in the midwestern United States have difficulty managing bacterial wilt—a fatal disease with a pathogen (Erwinia tracheiphila) that is transmitted by striped and spotted cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, respectively). Registered organic insecticides lack effectiveness, and host plant resistance is rare in commercial cultivars of many cucurbit crops. Row covers are widely used as barriers to minimize pest access, but the spunbonded polypropylene fabric covering traditional low tunnels must be removed at bloom to prevent overheating and facilitate pollination, thereby exposing the crop for the rest of the season. “Mesotunnels”—nylon mesh fabric covering 3.5-ft-high hoops—provide more space than low tunnels and mitigate overheating. In field experiments at Iowa State University (Ames, IA, USA) during 2016–18, two variations of mesotunnels—full-season tunnels [with purchased bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) added for pollination] and part-season tunnels (with covers removed for 2 weeks during bloom to provide pollinator access)—were compared with low tunnels and a noncovered treatment for organic ‘Athena’ muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production. Based on scouting results, full-season mesotunnels required no insecticides and part-season mesotunnels averaged 0.6 spray per season compared with 1.0 and 5.0 sprays per season for the low-tunnel and noncovered treatments, respectively. Incidence of pest and disease damage was zero for the full-season mesotunnels, 5% to 22% for the part-season mesotunnels, and 37% to 70% for both of the other treatments. Marketable yield for the full-season mesotunnel treatment exceeded the noncovered treatment significantly each year, and mean marketable yields were greater numerically than for the other treatments. Both mesotunnel treatments had a marketable yield that averaged more than twice that of the noncovered treatment in each year. Economic analysis (partial budget and cost-efficiency ratio) indicated that mesotunnels were likely to be more profitable in Iowa, USA, than either the low-tunnel or noncovered systems, but also that the year-to-year differential among treatments in profitability could be substantial. Additional experiments are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these integrated pest management practices and their profitability at spatial scales representative of commercial farms.

Spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) is attracted to vittatalactone, the pheromone of striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum)

Spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi; also known as southern corn rootworm) is a pest feeding on many crops, including cucurbits, corn (maize), peanuts, beans, and other crops and wild plants in North America. On cucurbit crops, where it co-occurs with striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), both are key pests that vector Erwinia tracheiphila, a destructive pathogen that causes bacterial wilt. Here we deployed synthetic vittatalactone, the male-produced aggregation pheromone of A. vittatum, as lures in the field, to measure attraction of the target and non-target insects. Both sexes of D. u. howardi were strongly attracted to the vittatalactone lures (5–7.5-fold compared to blank trap) throughout the growing season in Maryland and Virginia, USA. Moreover, D. u. howardi was more attracted to live A. vittatum males feeding on squash plants than to plants with females or without any beetles, confirming the genuine organismal cross-attraction between these two key pests. The kairomonal attraction to vittatalactone suggests that it functions as a “keystone semiochemical,” mediating the colonization of cucurbits by multiple herbivore species. Such cross attraction could allow for use of vittatalactone in management of multiple pest species, with potential reduction of pesticide use in cucurbit crops.

BACTERIAL WILT OF CUCUMBER: AN EMERGING THREAT TO CUCUMBER PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN

Cucumber is an economically important crop and cultivated in almost all temperature zones. It is also used as model system for sex and vascular biology study. Cultivation of cucumber is increasing day by day due to its high nutrition value. Several diseases pose great threat to cultivation of cucumber and one of the highly devastating disease of cucumber is bacterial wilt of cucumber. Erwinia tracheiphila is the causal agent of this disease and it is limited to xylem and absorbs all the nutrients from it and in result cause wilting of entire plant. This pathogen is transmitted by striped and spotted cucumber beetles. These beetles feed on seedlings and stems and carry the pathogen from infected to healthy plant. Bacterial wilt of cucumber was diagnosed in field by observing hyaline, sticky strands of slime. There are different management techniques available to control the spread of disease. Biological control and development of resistant varieties are gaining importance as compared to insecticides, due to their ecofriendly behavior towards human and animal life.

Characterization of Erwinia tracheiphila Bacteriophage FBB1 Isolated from Spotted Cucumber Beetles that Vector E. tracheiphila.

Erwinia tracheiphila, the causal pathogen of bacterial wilt of cucurbit crops, is disseminated by cucumber beetles. A bacteriophage, designated FBB1 (Fu-Beattie-Beetle-1), was isolated from spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) that were collected from a field in which E. tracheiphila is endemic. FBB1 was classified into the Myoviridae family based on its morphology, which includes an elongated icosahedral head (106 × 82 nm) and a putatively contractile tail (120 nm). FBB1 infected all 62 E. tracheiphila strains examined and three Pantoea spp. strains. FBB1 virions were stable at 55°C for 1 h and tolerated a pH range from 3 to 12. FBB1 has a genome of 175,994 bp with 316 predicted coding sequences and a GC content of 36.5%. The genome contains genes for a major bacterial outer-membrane protein, a putative exopolysaccharide depolymerase, and 22 predicted transfer RNAs. The morphology and genome indicate that FBB1 is a T4-like virus and thus in the Tevenvirinae subfamily. FBB1 is the first virulent phage of E. tracheiphila to be reported and, to date, is one of only two bacteriophages to be isolated from insect vectors of phytopathogens. Collectively, the results support FBB1 as a promising candidate for biocontrol of E. tracheiphila based on its virulent (lytic) rather than lysogenic lifestyle, its infection of all E. tracheiphila strains examined to date, and its infection of a few nonpathogenic bacteria that could be used to support phage populations when pathogen numbers are low.

Influence of Trap Crops on Tomato and Squash Insect Pests

Influence of Trap Crops on Tomato and Squash Insect Pests

Consumptive and non‐consumptive effects of wolf spiders on cucumber beetles and cucumber plant damage

AbstractBiological control research often focuses on the ability of predators to reduce pest densities and protect crops through consumption. Less studied is their ability to protect crops by altering pest behaviour (non‐consumptive effects). Lab experiments were conducted to test predation rates of striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) by large (>10 mm) wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae). Field experiments were conducted to examine how the physical presence and/or cues of spiders impact the behaviour and mortality of A. vittatum (specialist) and D. undecimpunctata (generalist) cucumber beetles as well as growth and damage of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus; Cucurbitaceae). A. vittatum and D. undecimpunctata adults were added to caged cucumber plants without a spider, with spider cues only (spider removed before beetle inclusion), with spider only (spider introduced to plants immediately before beetle inclusion), and with spiders and their cues present (spiders introduced 24 hr in advance of beetle inclusion). A. vittatum responded to spider cues primarily by emigrating from plants. Contrarily, D. undecimpunctata did not display obvious responses, such as reduced feeding or increased emigration, to spider foraging and/or cues. Actively foraging lycosids increased A. vittatum mortality and reduced densities of D. undecimpunctata in the field when cucumber plants were flowering. This study highlights how non‐consumptive and consumptive effects can play a role in modifying pest populations, and how these effects can vary across species and plant growth stages.

Mimicry in Cretaceous Bugs.

SummaryMimicry is ubiquitous in nature, yet understanding its origin and evolution is complicated by the scarcity of exceptional fossils that enable behavioral inferences about extinct animals. Here we report bizarre true bugs (Hemiptera) that closely resemble beetles (Coleoptera) from mid-Cretaceous amber. The unusual fossil bugs are described as Bersta vampirica gen. et sp. nov. and Bersta coleopteromorpha gen. et sp. nov. and are placed into a new family, Berstidae fam. nov. The specialized mouthparts of berstids indicate that they were predaceous on small arthropods. Their striking beetle-like appearance implies that they were either involved in defensive mimicry or mimicked beetles to attack unsuspecting prey. The latter would represent the first case of aggressive mimicry in the invertebrate fossil record. These findings enrich our understanding of the paleoecological associations and extinct behavioral strategies of Mesozoic insects.

Effects of Red Clover Living Mulch on Arthropod Herbivores and Natural Enemies, and Cucumber Yield

Abstract Increasing habitat complexity through cover cropping has been proposed as a tactic to reduce herbivore colonization and encourage natural enemies in cropping systems. To test the supposition that cover crops can be used to alter arthropod communities, we compared arthropod communities on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; Cucurbitaceae) interplanted with a red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; Fabaceae) living mulch and grown as a monoculture. In 2016 and 2017, visual surveys and yellow sticky card traps were used to estimate numbers of arthropod natural enemies and herbivores in each treatment. Among herbivores, striped cucumber beetles [Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius, 1775); Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] and melon aphids (Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877; Hemiptera: Aphididae) had lower densities in the presence of red clover. However, populations of spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, 1947; Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) had a variable response to red clover. Sticky card captures of natural enemies, including bigeyed bugs (Geocoris spp. Fallén; Hemiptera: Geocoridae), minute pirate bugs (Orius spp. Wolff; Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), and lady beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), were generally greater in cucumber interplanted with red clover than monoculture. Overall, cucumber yield did not differ between treatments. Findings from this study lend support to the hypothesis that greater habitat complexity can reduce herbivore densities.

Striped Cucumber Beetle Acalymma vittatum F. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum F. (Figure 1) is a serious agricultural pest of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae in eastern North America. Crops affected by larval and adult feeding include cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., cantaloupe, Cucumis melo L., pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L., and other Cucurbita spp. (Dill and Kirby 2016). The striped cucumber beetle is a vector of the plant disease bacterial wilt (Eaton 2016). Though the striped cucumber beetle occurs throughout Florida, it is the least commonly reported among three chrysomelid species on cucurbit crops in the state. The spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, and banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte, are more common in Florida, causing damage symptoms that are similar to striped cucumber feeding damage (Webb 2010). Includes: Introduction - Distribution - Description and Life Cycle - Damage - Monitoring - Management - Selected References.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1215
 Also published at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/VEG/BEAN/striped_cucumber_beetle.html

Bacterial wilt symptoms are impacted by host age and involve net downward movement of Erwinia tracheiphila in muskmelon

Cucurbit bacterial wilt, caused by Erwinia tracheiphila, is a devastating disease of cucurbit crops in the Midwest and Northeast U.S. Current management of bacterial wilt relies primarily on insecticide applications to control striped and spotted cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, respectively), which vector E. tracheiphila. Development of alternative management strategies is constrained by a lack of understanding of bacterial wilt etiology. The impact of host age on rate on symptom development and extent of bacterial movement in the xylem of muskmelon (Cucumis melo cv. Athena) was evaluated following wound inoculation of 2- to 8-week-old plants in growth chamber experiments. Wilting occurred more rapidly in plants after inoculating E. tracheiphila into 2- or 4-week-old plants than 6- or 8-week-old plants. Recovery of viable cells from stem segments revealed that vascular spread of E. tracheiphila was more extensive below than above the inoculation point. These findings provide experimental evidence that host age impacts the rate of symptom development in cucurbit bacterial wilt and that movement of the xylem-inhabiting pathogen E. tracheiphila within muskmelon plants occurs primarily in the downward direction.

The impact of tillage regime and row cover use on insect pests and yield in organic cucurbit production

AbstractControl of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production.

The Potential of Strip Tillage and Rowcovers for Organic Cucurbit Production

Plasticulture systems, the use of polyethylene mulch on raised beds with drip irrigation, are commonly used for the production of many cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) crops. Although the use of plasticulture systems has many benefits, disadvantages include plastic disposal issues and costs and the intensive tillage required for installation. Strip tillage systems have been shown to decrease soil erosion, increase soil moisture retention, and increase soil microbial communities. Spunbonded polyethylene rowcover use has been shown to decrease early season striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) populations and the incidence of bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila) while increasing yields. Plasticulture and strip tillage systems were compared with and without rowcovers at The Pennsylvania State University’s Russell E. Larson Research and Education Center in Rock Springs, PA. Two separate organically managed experiments were conducted, one being on ‘Lioness’ summer squash (SS; Cucurbita pepo), the other on ‘Athena’ muskmelon (MM; Cucumis melo). Both two-season experiments occurred during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. Yields, soil nitrate levels, soil and air temperatures, striped cucumber beetle populations, and incidence of bacterial wilt were measured. Plants grown in the strip tillage system generally had lower yields than in the plasticulture system in both years. Yield reductions observed in the strip tillage system in both years of the muskmelon experiment and in the first year of the summer squash experiment were beyond acceptable levels. The need for specialized tillage equipment, delayed planting, and high weed pressure were all obstacles to the successful use of strip tillage in these experiments. Rowcovers resulted in larger plants; however, yields were comparable to not using rowcovers within the strip tillage and plasticulture systems. There was low incidence of bacterial wilt in both years of the experiments despite observed striped cucumber beetle populations above the set threshold throughout all experiments.

Cover and Issue Information

New PhytologistVolume 209, Issue 4 p. 1325-1328 Cover and Issue InformationFree Access Cover and Issue Information First published: 03 February 2016 https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.13663AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Graphical Abstract Cover Legend Herbivory by the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) on the prairie sunflower Helianthus petiolaris. Courtesy of Chase M. Mason (Mason et al. pp. 1720–1733) Volume209, Issue4March 2016Pages 1325-1328 RelatedInformation

Optimizing Rowcover Deployment for Managing Bacterial Wilt and Using Compost for Organic Muskmelon Production

The goal of this study was to develop a systems-based strategy for organic muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) in Pennsylvania (PA), Iowa (IA), and Kentucky (KY) to manage bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila) and nutrients while safeguarding yield and enhancing early harvest. Spunbond polypropylene rowcovers deployed for different timings during the growing season were evaluated for suppressing bacterial wilt and locally available compost was applied based on two different estimated rates of mineralization of organic nitrogen (N) to manage nutrients. In KY only, the use of rowcovers suppressed bacterial wilt incidence compared with not using rowcovers. However, the timing of rowcover removal did not impact wilt incidence. Under lower cucumber beetle [striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) and spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi)] pressure in PA and IA, rowcovers did not consistently suppress season-long incidence of bacterial wilt. In four of five site-years in PA and IA, more marketable fruit were produced when rowcovers were removed 10 days after an action threshold (the date the first flower opened in PA; the date when ≥50% of plants in a subplot had developed perfect flowers in IA and KY) than when no 10-day delay was made or when no rowcovers were used. In addition, the no-rowcover treatment consistently had lower weight per marketable fruit. In KY, the same action threshold without the 10-day delay, followed by insecticide applications, resulted in the largest number of marketable fruit, but did not affect marketable fruit weight. In PA, marketable yield was higher using compost compared with the organic fertilizer in 1 year. No yield differences were observed by nutrient treatments in 2 years. In IA, marketable yield was lower with the low amount of compost compared with the organic fertilizer and yields with the high amount of compost were not different from the low amount or the organic fertilizer in the year it was evaluated. In KY, marketable yield was unaffected by the nutrient treatments in the year it was evaluated. Given these results, muskmelon growers in PA, IA, and KY who use compost may choose the lower compost rate to minimize production costs. Overall, these findings suggest that rowcover-based strategies for organic management of bacterial wilt need to be optimized on a regional basis, and that fertilization with compost is compatible with these strategies.

Does local habitat management or large-scale landscape composition alter the biocontrol services provided to pumpkin agroecosystems?

Cucurbit crops are attacked by a pest complex that threatens production via direct feeding and disease transmission. The goals of this study were to quantify the amount of biocontrol service supplied to pumpkin fields and determine if this was affected by local habitat management or the surrounding landscape. Using sentinel eggs, we measured predation of squash bug, Anasa tristis, and spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, by generalist predators. We found that predators significantly removed D. undecimpunctata howardi but not A. tristis eggs. The guild of predators found to attack D. undecimpunctata howardi included Araneae, Carabidae, Cricetidae, Entomobryidae, Formicidae, Gryllidae and Opiliones. A smaller, but overlapping guild of predators was found to attack A. tristis, which included Araneae, Cricetidae, Formicidae and Gryllidae. Formicidae was consistently the dominate predator of both pest species. We examined how the addition of either a non-native annual plant insectary of sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, or a diverse insectary planted with native perennial forbs and grasses influenced predator abundance, composition, or biocontrol services relative to a grass control. We found no difference in either the predator community feeding on pest eggs or the proportion of eggs that they removed from adjacent pumpkin fields. Larger-scale landscape composition did influence the amount of egg predation occurring in pumpkin agroecosystems, however, these relationships varied among pests and across years of the study. Biological control is commonly predicted to increase with landscape diversity and the amount of non-crop habitat present surrounding focal fields, yet we found that when landscape did influence egg predation it was agricultural landscapes supporting the highest egg removal. This study illustrates that patterns relating landscape and localized habitat management to crop pest predation are not constants, they can vary among years within a crop as well as among agricultural cropping systems.

Bacterial Wilt of Cucurbits: Resurrecting a Classic Pathosystem.

Bacterial wilt threatens cucurbit crop production in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States. The pathogen, Erwinia tracheiphila, is a xylem-limited bacterium that affects most commercially important cucurbit species, including muskmelon, cucumber, and squash. Bacterial wilt is transmitted and overwintered by striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Since there are few commercially available resistant cultivars, disease management usually relies on use of insecticides to suppress vector populations. Although bacterial wilt was initially described more than 100 years ago, our knowledge of disease ecology and epidemiology advanced slowly for most of the 20th century. However, a recent wave of research has begun to fill in missing pieces of the bacterial wilt puzzle. This article-the first review of research toward understanding the cucurbit bacterial wilt pathosystem-recounts early findings and updates our understanding of the disease cycle, including pathogen and vector biology. We also highlight research areas that could lead to more efficient and ecologically based management of bacterial wilt.

Spotted cucumber beetle Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Spotted cucumber beetle is a major agricultural pest of North America. Another name for the spotted cucumber beetle is “southern corn rootworm”. Many Diabrotica species cause damage to field crops, especially corn, making these beetles a major agricultural concern. Because of the subterranean nature of their larvae, these insects are hard and expensive to control. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Harsimran Kaur Gill, Gaurav Goyal, and Jennifer Gillett-Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2013.
 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1008

Analysis of DNA from Feces to Identify Prey of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) Caught in Apple Orchards

We isolated, amplified, and sequenced the mtDNA from insect fragments found in the feces of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) caught in apple orchards, to determine whether the bats were consuming prey of economic interest, especially common pests of apples. Comparison of sequences to those in a reference database (Barcode of Life Database) allowed identification of 58 sequences from 40 bats to the level of family, genus, or species; 40 (69%) of the 58 sequences of insects matched to species, 6 (10%) to only genus, and 12 (21%) to only family. Forty-nine (84%) of the 58 matches, from 34 (85%) of the 40 bats, were to taxa within the order Coleoptera and most represented taxa within the family Carabidae; other orders included Diptera, Ephemeroptera, and Hymenoptera. Eighteen different species were identified, including several important pests, such as various mosquitoes (Aedes), the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata), and pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum), although no pests specific to apples were discovered.