Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products
Abstract Trogoderma granarium Everts, the khapra beetle, native to the Indian subcontinent, is one of the world’s most destructive pests of stored food products. Early detection of this pest facilitates prompt response towards the invasion and prevents the need for costly eradication efforts. Such d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29842-z |
| _version_ | 1797864912888791040 |
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| author | Yunke Wu Michael J. Domingue Alana R. McGraw Kendra A. Vieira Marjorie Z. Palmeri Scott W. Myers |
| author_facet | Yunke Wu Michael J. Domingue Alana R. McGraw Kendra A. Vieira Marjorie Z. Palmeri Scott W. Myers |
| author_sort | Yunke Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Trogoderma granarium Everts, the khapra beetle, native to the Indian subcontinent, is one of the world’s most destructive pests of stored food products. Early detection of this pest facilitates prompt response towards the invasion and prevents the need for costly eradication efforts. Such detection requires proper identification of T. granarium, which morphologically resembles some more frequently encountered, non-quarantine congeners. All life stages of these species are difficult to distinguish using morphological characters. Additionally, biosurveillance trapping can result in the capture of large numbers of specimens awaiting identification. To address these issues, we aim to develop an array of molecular tools to rapidly and accurately identify T. granarium among non-target species. Our crude, cheap DNA extraction method performed well for Trogoderma spp. and is suitable for downstream analyses including sequencing and real-time PCR (qPCR). We developed a simple quick assay usingrestriction fragment length polymorphism to distinguish between T. granarium and the closely related, congeneric T. variabile Ballion and T. inclusum LeConte. Based on newly generated and published mitochondrial sequence data, we developed a new multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay for T. granarium with improved efficiency and sensitivity over existing qPCR assays. These new tools benefit regulatory agencies and the stored food products industry by providing cost- and time-effective solutions to enhance the identification of T. granarium from related species. They can be added to the existing pest detection toolbox. The selection of which method to use would depend on the intended application. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:59:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7964dab410fe48d2aee8c3b057e7156d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:59:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-7964dab410fe48d2aee8c3b057e7156d2023-03-22T11:02:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-02-0113111110.1038/s41598-023-29842-zDevelopment of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food productsYunke Wu0Michael J. Domingue1Alana R. McGraw2Kendra A. Vieira3Marjorie Z. Palmeri4Scott W. Myers5United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology, Forest Pest Methods LaboratoryAbstract Trogoderma granarium Everts, the khapra beetle, native to the Indian subcontinent, is one of the world’s most destructive pests of stored food products. Early detection of this pest facilitates prompt response towards the invasion and prevents the need for costly eradication efforts. Such detection requires proper identification of T. granarium, which morphologically resembles some more frequently encountered, non-quarantine congeners. All life stages of these species are difficult to distinguish using morphological characters. Additionally, biosurveillance trapping can result in the capture of large numbers of specimens awaiting identification. To address these issues, we aim to develop an array of molecular tools to rapidly and accurately identify T. granarium among non-target species. Our crude, cheap DNA extraction method performed well for Trogoderma spp. and is suitable for downstream analyses including sequencing and real-time PCR (qPCR). We developed a simple quick assay usingrestriction fragment length polymorphism to distinguish between T. granarium and the closely related, congeneric T. variabile Ballion and T. inclusum LeConte. Based on newly generated and published mitochondrial sequence data, we developed a new multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay for T. granarium with improved efficiency and sensitivity over existing qPCR assays. These new tools benefit regulatory agencies and the stored food products industry by providing cost- and time-effective solutions to enhance the identification of T. granarium from related species. They can be added to the existing pest detection toolbox. The selection of which method to use would depend on the intended application.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29842-z |
| spellingShingle | Yunke Wu Michael J. Domingue Alana R. McGraw Kendra A. Vieira Marjorie Z. Palmeri Scott W. Myers Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products Scientific Reports |
| title | Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| title_full | Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| title_fullStr | Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| title_short | Development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium), a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| title_sort | development of an array of molecular tools for the identification of khapra beetle trogoderma granarium a destructive beetle of stored food products |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29842-z |
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