A rapid diagnostic technique of Bactrocera cucurbitae and Bactrocera zonata (Diptera: Tephritidae) for quarantine application. Issue 6 (14th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mezghani Khemakhem, Maha; Ben Lazahr, Wafa; Bouktila, Dhia; Ben Slimen, Hichem; Makni, Hanem; Makni, Mohamed
• Is Part Of: Pest management science. Volume 69:Issue 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 744
• Page End: 746
• Publication Date: 2012-11-14
• Subjects: Pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Periodicals; 632.9
• DOI: 10.1002/ps.3433
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-498X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ps3433-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Backround</title> <p> <bold>The melon fruit fly <italic>Bactrocera cucurbitae</italic> and the peach fruit fly <italic>Bactrocera zonata</italic> are serious pests, native to Asia, that have recently invaded Egypt. In Tunisia, no report of these species has yet been made, but pest risk data suggest that both <italic>Bactrocera</italic> species are likely to establish in other countries of the Mediterranean region</bold>.</p> </sec> <sec id="ps3433-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p> <bold>A quick method, based on a PCR‐RFLP of the mitochondrial COI gene, has been developed to enhance species identification for quarantine purposes. The restriction enzymes <italic>Dde</italic>I and <italic>Xmn</italic>I were used to digest COI PCR products, enabling a rapid diagnosis of <italic>B. cucurbitae</italic> and <italic>B. zonata</italic> and their distinction from Tunisia's most devastating fruit pest, <italic>Ceratitis capitata</italic></bold>.</p> </sec> <sec id="ps3433-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p> <bold>The simplicity and relatively low cost of this molecular approach will replace the need to rear immature stages through to adults for identification and will facilitate rapid quarantine decisions providing greater plant protection</bold>.</p> </sec> </abstract>