University of California, Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
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Jeffrey D. Lozier (PI: N.J. Mills, Collaborator: G.K. Roderick) University of California, Berkeley, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management TheThe GeneticsGenetics andand BiologicalBiological ControlControl ofof HyalopterusHyalopterus pruni,pruni, anan InvasiveInvasive AphidAphid PestPest inin CaliforniaCalifornia 1. Abstract 3. Research Approaches • The mealy plum aphid, Hyalopterus pruni, is an invasive pest on prune in California. The genus Hyalopterus originates from the Mediterranean, B. Virulence Experiments and is currently believed to be comprised of two Hap1 indistinguishable species that feed on multiple • Virulence is a parasitoid’s ability to overcome its host’s defenses and successfully reproduce. hosts in the genus Prunus. A. Molecular Methods Hap2a • Biological control using Aphidius transcaspicus, 1) Examine the population structure of H. pruni • I will expose multiple geographic populations of and A. transcaspicus in the Mediterranean and A. transcaspicus to Californian H. pruni in cages a parasitoid from H. pruni’s ancestral home, is a Hap2b potential way to mediate the effect of this pest. clarify issues surrounding their taxonomy. to examine reproductive success and determine • I will use DNA sequences for the mitochondrial the relative virulence of each parasitoid strain. • Using molecular genetics and ecological Hap3a (mtDNA) COI gene to look for deeper level experiments I will characterize the population • In correlation with genetic data, this will provide differences within the two taxa, such as biotypes, structure of these two species and their valuable information on the structure of mealy host races, or even cryptic species. interactions to aid the design of an effective aphid-parasitoid interactions and help identify the Hap3b biocontrol program for mealy aphid in California. • I will develop microsatellite DNA libraries for both most virulent parasitoid strain for introduction. aphids and parasitoids to examine fine scale Fig. 1: COI phylogeny for Hyalopterus (left) and the occurrence 2. The Problem structuring not revealed by mtDNA. 4. Initial Findings of geographic/ host plant composition of each haplotype (right) 2) Examine the invasion history of H. pruni in • Pesticide use in CA is under increasingly strict California. • mtDNA sequences for aphids from Spain, 5. Impact regulation due to better awareness of negative • Parameters associated with invasion are crucial Greece, Italy, Tunisia, China, and CA show 3 effects on human and environmental health. for a pest’s success in a new environment and main groups (haplotypes) within Hyalopterus • Will increase understanding of the biology of (Fig. 1, left). • The mealy plum aphid is a key barrier to understanding such variables can aid the design of Hyalopterus and its parasitoid in CA and the reducing pesticide application on prune in CA and effective management strategies. Invasion • These groups are largely determined by the Mediterranean and allow proper identification of is an ideal candidate for biological control— parameters can include: host plant from which the sample was taken, morphologically indistinguishable types. • Geographic origin(s) of the pest control achieved through the introduction of a though Haplotype 1 aphids are found on all 4 • Will aid in the discovery of the most effective • Number and size of invasion events natural enemy from a pest’s region of origin. host plants—Plum, Almond, Peach, and Apricot agent for biological control of mealy plum aphid. • Patterns of spread in the invaded region (Fig. 1, left & right). • A biocontrol program could be improved by a • The combination of microsatellite data and • Will examine how a combination of genetic and better understanding of the taxonomy, sub- population genetics statistical methods will help • Aphids collected on prune in CA’s Central ecological techniques can be used to study specific population structure, and the strength of trace the invasion history for mealy plum aphid Valley belong to Haplotype 1. This indicates invasive species and biological control in general. ecological interactions for Hyalopterus and its and distinguish between possible invasion some possibility for mealy aphid in CA to feed natural enemies in CA and their native • Such information will be of great value in the scenarios (Box 2). on multiple Prunus hosts, and thus have the Mediterranean home. potential to threaten other stone fruit crops. study of a variety of other systems..