Molecular diagnostics of Hawaiian Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) using species-specific oligonucleotide primers and multiplex PCR

A Multiplex PCR identification system was developed for the common Trichogramma and Trichogrammatoidea egg parasitoids found on the island of Kauai. The Multiplex PCR primers were developed to species specific sequences in the ITS2 sequences of the species. A single PCR reaction using 1 forward primer and 5 reverse primers could distinguish 5 different species. Extensive collections of wasps parasitizing various lepidopteran eggs were made during the fall of 2007. A total of 6 different species was collected, 4 different Trichogramma species and two Trichogrammatoidea species. Only Trichogramma pretiosum, T. chilonis and T. papilionis had been known from Kauai, and T. achaeae was discovered here for the first time. In addition, two unknown species of Trichogrammatoidea were collected, one common species and a rare thelytokous species. These three new species most likely were introduced into Kauai after 1986 when the last extensive survey of Trichogrammatid egg parasitoids took place.