Described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were tested for detection and identification of immature parasitoids in small grain cereal aphids. These PCR techniques were evaluated for (1) greenhouse reared greenbugs, Schizaphis graminum Rondani parasitized by Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cresson and (2) aphids collected from winter wheat fields in Caddo county Oklahoma. For greenhouse samples, accuracy of PCR techniques were validated by comparing detection frequencies to frequencies determined by aphid dissections. For each field collected sample, 25 aphids were reared until mummies developed and PCR performed on another 25 aphids. Mummies were isolated until adult emergence, whereupon each parasitoid was identified to species. Accuracy of PCR techniques performed on field collected samples were validated by comparing detection frequencies to frequencies of reared parasitoids. Polymerase chain reaction as a potentially useful tool for providing accurate estimates of parasitism rates and for identification of immature parasitoids to species is discussed.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Braconidae Lysiphlebus testaceipes
Species 2: Homoptera Aphididae Schizaphis graminum (Greenbug)
Keywords: Parasitoid
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