Determination of Predator Prey Relationship in some Selected Coleopteran and Hymenopteran Species by DNA/PCR-based Molecular Analysis

DNA/PCR based molecular gut analysis of Coccinella septempunctata, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Hippodamia convergens, Camponotus pennsylvanicus and Solenopsis invicta, for six hemipteran pest species namely Macrosiphum miscanthi, Aphis maidis, Schizaphis graminum, Bemisia tabaci, Empoasca kerri and Drosicha mangiferae was done in the laboratory. Analysis was done by RAPD and Species specific primer techniques. A total of 175 fragments were amplified using 25 RAPD primers. 159 fragments were polymorphic, showing 91% polymorphism. The number of amplification products varied from 6 to 11, with an average of 7.00 per primer. With RAPD technique unique bands of some of the prey species were found in fed predators. A fragment of approx. 400 bp was observed with primer GLI-II in the DNA sample of M. miscanthi and fed C. sexmaculata. Another fragment of approximately 350 bp was observed with primer GLI-03 in the DNA sample of fed H. convergens and in DNA sample of B. tabaci. Species specific primer based gut analysis of C. septempunctata, C. sexmaculata, H. convergens, C. pennsylvanicus and S. invicta, for two major aphid pests namely; S. graminum and A. maidis was also done by using species specific mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II primers derived from ribosomal RNA genes. Approximately 198 bp fragment of A. maidis with primer ClaCOIIF and ClaCOIIR1 was detected in C. septempunctata, C. sexmaculata and H. convergens specimens collected from wheat, brassica and fodder fields. Similarly approximately 111 bp fragment of S. gramiinum with primer GbCOIIF2 and GbCOIIR1 was detected in C. septempunctata, C. sexmaculata and H. convergens collected from wheat, brassica and fodder reconfirming their generalist predator trophic status. [copy 2012 Friends Science Publishers