Molecular identification of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) as a possible biological control of Scolecocampa mochisa and Sphenophorus incurrens, sugarcane root pests in Mexico

In the present work the molecular identification of Megaselia scalaris is reported as a potential biological control agent of two major pest’s root of sugarcane Scolecocampa mochisa and Sphenophorus incurrens in Morelos Mexico. During 2013-2014, larvae of both species were collected, along with crop residues, to understand the biology of these species. However, the recurrent presence of dipteran pupae larvae stuck to S mochisa and inside the S. incurrens galleries were observed, so pupae and adults were preserved in alcohol for molecular identification with cytochrome oxidase B and cytochrome I genes. Sequence alignment in NCBI-BLAST result in identity and 99% coverage with Megaselia scalaris. This specie has been identified as a biological control agent in other weevils and lepidopteran in other parts of the world, so the natural association of M scalaris with S.mochisa and S. incurrens in Morelos, could be an alternative in the management of these pests.