Taxonomic identification of Macrolophus pygmaeus and Macrolophus melanotoma based on morphometry and molecular markers.

摘要: Two Macrolophus species, M. melanotoma (=M. caliginosus) and pygmaeus, have been referred to as efficient predators of several key pests on vegetable crops in Europe. However, due the great morphological similarity these they confused, with important consequences for inoculative releases greenhouses conservation their natural populations greenhouse outdoor crops. In this work, we developed tools identify morphologically very similar species. We first confirmed specific status two collected respective host plants (Dittrichia viscosa tomato) through crossing experiments. Then, using multivariate morphometric analysis, proposed a linear discriminant function that combines head measurements separating males from species without error. Finally, designed primers mitochondrial DNA region were able distinguish field-collected individuals conventional PCR. conclusion, present study will allow reliable identification native flora are source colonise them. They also correct mass reared be introduced releases.