Molecular characterization of mite populations of Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma and Euseius concordis (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) using sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions

Mites have usually been identified by their morphological characteristics. However, morphological evidences are not always sufficient to distinguish between closely related species, leading taxonomists to consider additional ecological, biological and, more recently, molecular characteristics in this process. The molecular characterization of populations of Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma and Euseius concordis (Chant) was done by sequencing the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2 using the P1 (5'-AGAGGAAGTAAAAGTCGTAACAAG-3)' and P2 (5'-ATATGCTTAAATTCAGGGGG-3') primers, located in 18S and 28S regions of the ribosomal DNA. The following populations were characterizate: E. citrifolius: Arroio do Meio-RS, Campinas-SP and Petrolina-PE; E. concordis: Arroio do Meio, Jaguariúna-SP, Pontes e Lacerda-MT, Petrolina and Viçosa-MG. The sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2 allowed the discrimination between the group of populations of E. citrifolius from E. concordis. The similarity between the sequences was more than 94%. Most of the variation between populations was observed more in ITS1 than in ITS2. The sequencing of ITS region helps the identification of phytoseiid species when the populations show citoplasmatic incompatibility and need additional information.

Biological control; DNA; phytoseiid; predator