Molecular Identification and Diversity Assessment of Armored Scaled Insects from Southeastern United States
Open Access
Author:
Hudspath, Caleb Blaine
Area of Honors:
Biology (Behrend)
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Matthew E Gruwell, Thesis Supervisor Matthew E Gruwell, Thesis Supervisor Michael A Campbell, Thesis Honors Advisor Paul Edward Barney Jr., Faculty Reader
Diaspididae (the armored scale insects) are the largest family of scale insects, and consist of over 2600 species. These armored scale insects are economically importance due to the detrimental effect they have on their host. Scale insects found in Florida are a serious pest of palms and other ornamental plants. Severe damage to the host plant can cause wilting and death, which can lead to a decrease in agricultural production. This study aims to explore the genetic diversity of pest armored scale insects across the Southeastern United States. It also shows the need for molecular identification to determine any cryptic species using a common DNA marker 28S. Insect samples were collected in June 2010 in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA markers for molecular identification. We have identified over 25 species, many from multiple localities showing large infestations across the region. Molecular identification was done using BLAST and run through MRBAYES plug-in for phylogenetic analysis. These data will be helpful for growers in determining which species are attacking their plants and what the most effective measures will be to control outbreaks of armored scale insects.
