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Zoophytophagy dilemma: the risks of successful pest management
ESR update - The success of different IPM programs can be boosted with an appropriate timing of natural enemies’ introductions to the crops. Zoophytophagous insects have become relevant given the advantage that phytophagy represents in terms of early establishment of the predator in the crop even before the pest arrives. Nevertheless, species like Nesidiocoris tenuis can inflict direct damage to tomato plant shoots when prey is scarce, which can lead to yield reduction in severe cases.
Milena Chinchilla-RamÃrez, MSc.
The first goal of my project is to elucidate the mechanisms behind the plant damage produced by N. tenuis. For this, salivary glands of N. tenuis have been dissected for proteomic and metabolomics analysis. Saliva contents of N. tenuis are being compared with those from Macrolophus pygmaeus since this latter predator does not produce plant damage. Preliminary results yielded an important number of proteins involved in catalytic processes which can be playing an important role in the plant response elicited by N. tenuis. Metabolomics is proving to be more challenging since most metabolite databases available are basically from plants. So far, a subtype of glycolipid involved in programmed cell death in plants has been tentatively identified. However, additional steps are needed to confirm the identity of this and other compounds, hence, I already proceeded with more chromatography and laboratory tests.
Furthermore, histological studies of plant tissue subjected to the predatory bug feeding will be done and compared with healthy plant tissue for a better characterization of the plant damage. In addition, electropenetrography (EPG) and feeding behavioral experiments have also been added to the research pipeline in order to integrate the different approaches for a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the plant damage.
Another focus of my research is to study the genetic diversity of N. tenuis. For this, I already started with DNA extraction of samples from 10 countries in 4 different continents. Other than assessing genetic diversity, from this phylogenetic study I also expect to obtain information about N. tenuis dispersion pattern through the regions where it has been reported. In addition, I will try to relate genetic diversity with different field performances (both phytophagy and zoophagy).