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Host tissue identification for cryptic hymenopteran parasitoids associated with Sirex noctilio
Author(s) -
Foelker Christopher J.,
Standley Christopher R.,
Fierke Melissa K.,
Parry Dylan,
Whipps Christopher M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
agricultural and forest entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.755
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1461-9563
pISSN - 1461-9555
DOI - 10.1111/afe.12137
Subject(s) - parasitoid , biology , host (biology) , trophic level , ecology , hymenoptera , zoology
Establishing host–parasitoid relationships is challenging for cryptic insects feeding deep in the xylem tissue of trees. Sirex noctilio is a xylophagous feeder and recent invader of N orth A merica that co‐occurs in pines ( P inus ) with a native siricid ( S irex nigricornis ) and a suite of shared hymenopteran parasitoids. This insect has a long history as a destructive pest in S outhern H emisphere pine plantations. To establish explicit trophic linkages between native hymenopteran parasitoids and two species of woodwasp ( S irex ) in N orth A merica, a polymerase chain reaction assay was developed to amplify mitochondrial DNA that was restriction digested with the aim of identifying species. The assay was used to identify species of S irex from cadavers and gut contents from different parasitoid stages with the aim of establishing host–parasitoid relationships. The host woodwasp species was identified successfully from parasitoid gut contents collected from larvae, pupae and adults. Across all parasitoid life stages, woodwasp host was identified in 52.9% of ibaliid parasitoids and 78.5% of rhyssine parasitoids. Host was successfully identified from 88.1% of associated siricid cadavers. These results demonstrate the utility of molecular techniques to verify host–parasitoid associations that previously had only been inferred. Development of molecular tools is a rapid and crucial tool for establishing trophic linkages and is particularly useful in situations involving non‐native species with cryptic lifestyles.