A Molecular Approach for Detecting Stage-Specific Predation on Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae).

ABSTRACT: A molecular gut analysis technique is described to identify predators of Lygus hesperus (Knight), a significant pest of many crops. The technique is unique because it can pinpoint which life stage of the pest was consumed. Sentinel egg masses designed to mimic the endophytic egg-laying behavior of L. hesperus were marked with rabbit serum, while third instar and adult L. hesperus were marked with chicken and rat sera, respectively. Then, the variously labeled L. hesperus life stages were introduced into field cages that enclosed the native arthropod population inhabiting an individual cotton plant. After a 6-h exposure period, the predator assemblage, including the introduced and native L. hesperus population, in each cage were counted and had their gut contents examined for the presence o

SUBMITTER: Hagler JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8478330 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature