Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis
Billbugs (<i>Sphenophorus</i> 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 understand...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/10/930 |
| _version_ | 1797514261764767744 |
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| author | Marian M. Rodriguez-Soto Douglas S. Richmond Ricardo A. Ramirez Xi Xiong Laramy S. Enders |
| author_facet | Marian M. Rodriguez-Soto Douglas S. Richmond Ricardo A. Ramirez Xi Xiong Laramy S. Enders |
| author_sort | Marian M. Rodriguez-Soto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Billbugs (<i>Sphenophorus</i> 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 library using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences from morphologically identified adult billbugs collected across Indiana, Missouri, Utah and Arizona. Next, we used our reference library for comparison and identification of unknown larval specimens collected across the growing season in Utah and Indiana. Finally, we combined our DNA barcoding approach with larval head capsule diameter, a proxy for developmental instar, to develop larval phenology charts. Adult COI sequences varied among billbug species, but variation was not influenced by geography, indicating that this locus alone was useful for resolving larval species identity. Overlaid with head capsule diameter data from specimens collected across the growing season, a better visualization of billbug species composition and seasonal biology emerged. This approach will provide researchers with the tools necessary to fill critical gaps in our understanding of billbug biology and facilitate the development of turfgrass pest management programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:29:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2ce889a6868414ea5bc5a1d2e3a1687 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:29:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2ce889a6868414ea5bc5a1d2e3a16872023-11-22T18:39:50ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502021-10-01121093010.3390/insects12100930Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric AnalysisMarian M. Rodriguez-Soto0Douglas S. Richmond1Ricardo A. Ramirez2Xi Xiong3Laramy S. Enders4Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USADepartment of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USADepartment of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USADivision of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USADepartment of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USABillbugs (<i>Sphenophorus</i> 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 library using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences from morphologically identified adult billbugs collected across Indiana, Missouri, Utah and Arizona. Next, we used our reference library for comparison and identification of unknown larval specimens collected across the growing season in Utah and Indiana. Finally, we combined our DNA barcoding approach with larval head capsule diameter, a proxy for developmental instar, to develop larval phenology charts. Adult COI sequences varied among billbug species, but variation was not influenced by geography, indicating that this locus alone was useful for resolving larval species identity. Overlaid with head capsule diameter data from specimens collected across the growing season, a better visualization of billbug species composition and seasonal biology emerged. This approach will provide researchers with the tools necessary to fill critical gaps in our understanding of billbug biology and facilitate the development of turfgrass pest management programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/10/930turfgrassIPMspecies complexCOI18SITS2 |
| spellingShingle | Marian M. Rodriguez-Soto Douglas S. Richmond Ricardo A. Ramirez Xi Xiong Laramy S. Enders Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis Insects turfgrass IPM species complex COI 18S ITS2 |
| title | Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis |
| title_full | Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis |
| title_short | Characterizing Billbug (<i>Sphenophorus</i> spp.) Seasonal Biology Using DNA Barcodes and a Simple Morphometric Analysis |
| title_sort | characterizing billbug i sphenophorus i spp seasonal biology using dna barcodes and a simple morphometric analysis |
| topic | turfgrass IPM species complex COI 18S ITS2 |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/10/930 |
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