Characterizing Billbug (Sphenophorus spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Billbugs (Sphenophorus spp.) are a complex of grass-feeding weevil species that reduce the aesthetic and functional qualities of turfgrass. Effective billbug monitoring and management programs rely on a clear understanding of their seasonal biology. However, our limited understanding of regional variation in the species compositions and seasonal biology of billbugs, stemming primarily from our inability to identify the damaging larval stage to species level, has hindered efforts to articulate efficient IPM strategies to growers. We used a combination of DNA barcoding methods and morphometric measures to begin filling critical gaps in our understanding of the seasonal biology of the billbug species complex across a broad geographic range. First, we developed a DNA barcoding reference librar

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Soto MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8538943 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature