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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338526
Research Project: Systematics of Parasitic and Herbivorous Wasps of Agricultural Importance

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Genetic differentiation of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from East and Southeast Asia

Author
item NOMANO, FUMIAKI - Hokkaido University
item KASUYA, NAZUKI - Hokkaido University
item MATSUURA, AKIRA - Hokkaido University
item SUWITO, AWIT - Bogor Agricultural University
item MITSUI, HIDEYUKI - Non ARS Employee
item Buffington, Matthew
item KIMURA, MASAHITO - Hokkaido University

Submitted to: Applied Entomology and Zoology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/22/2017
Publication Date: 5/3/2017
Citation: Nomano, F., Kasuya, N., Matsuura, A., Suwito, A., Mitsui, H., Buffington, M.L., Kimura, M. 2017. Genetic differentiation of Ganaspis brasiliensis (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) from East and Southeast Asia. Applied Entomology and Zoology. DOI 10.1007/s13355-017-0493-0.

Interpretive Summary: The invasive spotted wing drosophila fly (SWD) is a native of East Asia and is now widely established in North America and Europe. Unlike other species in this genus, SWD is a major pest of soft fruits worldwide, causing millions of dollars annually in damage. This paper investigates the genetics of natural enemy wasps in Asia that are being considered for release as biological control agents in the United States. Research entomologists, extension agents, biological control practitioners, and ecologists will find these data essential for their work.

Technical Abstract: This study aims to clarify genetic differentiation of the Drosophila parasitoid Ganaspis brasiliensis (Hymenoptera; Figitidae; Eucoilinae) based on the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and three nuclear DNA regions, the inter-transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) and putative 60S ribosomal protein L37 (RpL37), as well as crossing experiments. Four lineages are recognized in individuals assigned as G. basiliensis by morphology, 1) individuals occurring in Japan and probably South Korea, 2) individuals from a small subtropical island of Japan, Iriomote-jima, 3) individuals from temperate lowlands of Japan and high altitude areas of Southeast Asia, and 4) individuals occurring widely in Asia, America, Hawaii and Africa. The first lineage is a specialist of Drosophila suzukii, a pest of fresh fruit, and also the fourth lineage has a capacity to parasitize this pest species. The first, third and fourth lineages occur sympatrically at least in Tokyo. The third and fourth lineages differed in mate choice and host use to some extent, but post-mating isolation between them was almost absent.