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Moroccan specimens of Microctonus aethiopoides spice our understanding of genetic variation in this internationally important braconid parasitoid of adult weevils

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Abstract

Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was introduced from Morocco to Australia and New Zealand for biological control of the lucerne pest, Sitona discoideus. Previous research has indicated that M. aethiopoides intraspecific genetic variation is more strongly associated with weevil host species than geographic origin. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences from parasitoids dissected from weevils collected during a survey of lucerne-growing areas in Morocco allowed us to further test this hypothesis. As found previously, there were two strong clades in M. aethiopoides with no geographical basis to this structure. Earlier research suggested that intraspecific variability within M. aethiopoides was related to weevil host genus (Sitona vs. Hypera), and the analysis confirmed that one of the clades corresponded strongly with the host Sitona discoideus. The other clade, however, previously characterised by parasitoids from Hypera postica also included parasitoids dissected from Charagmus spp., which is a sister genus to Sitona. It is suggested that food plant associations of the host weevils might have had an influence on the evolutionary history of the parasitoid.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Mohammed Mouna and Mataame Abderrahmane (Institute Scientifique, Rabat, Morocco) for coordinating the Moroccan weevil collections, and carrying out the collections, respectively. CJV and CBP were funded by New Zealand’s Foundation for Research, Science and Technology through contract LINX0304, Ecosystems Bioprotection. BIPB and DMB were funded by New Zealand’s Foundation for Research, Science and Technology through contract CO2X0501, Better Border Biosecurity (http://www.b3nz.org).

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  1. AgResearch Lincoln, Private Bag 4749, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Cor J. Vink & Craig B. Phillips

  2. AgResearch Invermay, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel, 9053, New Zealand

    Barbara I. P. Barratt & Diane M. Barton

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  1. Cor J. Vink
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  2. Barbara I. P. Barratt
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Correspondence to Cor J. Vink.

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Vink, C.J., Barratt, B.I.P., Phillips, C.B. et al. Moroccan specimens of Microctonus aethiopoides spice our understanding of genetic variation in this internationally important braconid parasitoid of adult weevils. BioControl 57, 751–758 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-012-9450-6

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