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- Title
SCALE INSECT SURGERY: AN UNUSUAL TWIST TO STANDARD DNA EXTRACTIONS.
- Authors
MILLS, PENELOPE J.; LUBANGA, UMAR K.; LEFOE, GREG K.
- Abstract
Current methods for extracting DNA from scale insects typically involves killing specimens or using dead specimens for the first (lysis) step. This creates a quandary when studying species that are difficult to collect and rear in the laboratory. An example is the ongoing study into the phylogenetic relationships among Australia's native scale insects; part of an effort to identify a prey-specific biological control agent for the exotic pest giant pine scale Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius). Clarifying the phylogeny of native scales is important because it helps to determine which non-target species should be prioritised for prey-specificity testing of a prospective biological control agent. However, live insects are also needed to initiate laboratory cultures before prey-specificity testing can commence. Using specimens collected in Queensland, we tested whether it was possible to extract and sequence DNA from live specimens of Monophlebulus Cockerell by removing a single leg instead of sacrificing the whole individual. It was hoped these specimens could also be used to establish laboratory cultures. We successfully sequenced DNA from each leg that had been removed and specimens did survive at least several days post-leg removal, but no specimens survived to produce nymphs. Although this procedure could be used on other archaeococcoid scale insects such as Callipappus Guérin-Méneville, many neococcoid scale insects would unlikely survive the removal of a leg due to their smaller, sac-like bodies and reduced leg morphology. Our non-lethal DNA method for scale insects would be best used for other archaeococcoids that are difficult to collect in the field.
- Subjects
QUEENSLAND; SCALE insects; BIOLOGICAL pest control agents; DNA
- Publication
Australian Entomologist, 2023, Vol 50, Issue part3, p369
- ISSN
1320-6133
- Publication type
Article