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Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa

Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2021.

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Other Authors: Fourie, Gerda
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2021
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Fourie, Gerda
author_browse Fourie, Gerda
author_facet Fourie, Gerda
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2021.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:42.666Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2021
publishDateRange 2021
publishDateSort 2021
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/82246 Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa Fourie, Gerda byron.sonnekus@fabi.up.ac.za Slippers, Bernard Hurley, Brett P. Joubert, Elsje Sonnekus, Byron COI barcoding Pentatomidae Macadamia Phylogenetics Species presence Parasitoids UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria, 2021. The aim of this dissertation was to synthesise information on stink bug diversity and their associated wasp egg parasitoids, with a focus on the species present in macadamia orchards in South Africa. The work presented in this dissertation includes an overview of the diversity, importance and management of stink bugs associated with nut crops. A survey in which the diversity of stink bug species present in macadamia orchards was determined over three seasons in Limpopo (2017-2020) and one season (2019-2020) in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga was also conducted. This included a phylogenetic analysis of these species and other closely related species and/or species previously associated with nut crops, a sequence divergence analysis and the development of a mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence and DNA database linked to morphology. Finally, a survey to identify wasp parasitoids parasitizing Bathycoelia distincta eggs in the Limpopo province and the testing two different molecular diagnostic approaches to identify these parasitoids was also conducted. Based on available literature, at least 19 Pentatomidae species have been associated with nut crops worldwide, with five species commonly associated with macadamia specifically in South Africa. Barcoding gene sequence availability on online databases is lacking for many of these species. The macadamia industry requires the implementation of effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and a reduction in yield loss due to stink bug damage to accomplish long-term sustainability. Successfully implementing strategies such as biological control using parasitoid wasps requires accurate identification of the stink bugs and their native parasitoids. A total of 20 stink bug species were identified across all three growing regions in this study and COI sequences for 16 of these species were made newly available on online databases. Bathycoelia distincta was the dominant species in all three regions and Boerias spp. were also found to be dominant in KwaZulu-Natal. Sequence divergence analysis confirmed the presence of cryptic species in the Boerias spp. and Pseudatleus raptorius groups. This is the first report of Boerias spp. on macadamia. The novel association of these species with macadamia and the fluctuation in species presence, both over time and across growing regions, highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of these pests. Monitoring will allow for the implementation of species-specific IPM strategies, ultimately leading to a reduction in the use of broad - spectrum insecticides. Monitoring relies on accurate pest identification and the COI DNA, sequence and photo database developed in this study will assist in future identifications. Based on a COI DNA barcoding approach, two native wasp parasitoids parasitizing B. distincta eggs in Limpopo were identified as Psix striaticeps and Trissolcus sp. Family-specific primers to analyze unemerged parasitized eggs were tested against COI primers for emerged adult parasitoids to determine the best method for identification. The COI sequencing using the standard primers on emerged parasitoids was deemed the most reliable approach. Future work should focus on the impact and management of the Boerias spp. in KwaZulu-Natal, include surveys to determine parasitoid species presence in other growing regions and assess the effectiveness of native parasitoids as biological control agents of stink bugs. DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology (CPHB), Macadamias South Africa NPC (SAMAC) and NRF Thuthuka Genetics MSc (Genetics) Unrestricted 2021-10-26T08:31:07Z 2021-10-26T08:31:07Z 2022 2021 Dissertation * A2022 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/82246 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle COI barcoding
Pentatomidae
Macadamia
Phylogenetics
Species presence
Parasitoids
UCTD
Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title_full Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title_fullStr Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title_short Diversity of stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in South Africa
title_sort diversity of stink bugs pentatomidae and associated egg parasitoids in macadamia orchards in south africa
topic COI barcoding
Pentatomidae
Macadamia
Phylogenetics
Species presence
Parasitoids
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/82246