Identification method for Liriomyza species
Within the genus Liriomyza (Diptera: Agromyzidae), species identification by classical morphological methods can only be done at the adult stage, as larvae and puparia possess few distinguishing characters. A diagnostic assay has been developed in United Kingdom using protein electrophoresis on a cellulose acetate membrane and staining for two enzymes (G6PDH, PEP). The aim is to distinguish between L. huidobrensis (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) from related indigenous and non-indigenous species, either on intercepted plant material or on plants grown under glass. With this method, it is possible to distinguish between the introduced L. huidobrensis and its close relatives: L. bryoniae (EU Annex I/A2) and L. strigata. In addition, L. huidobrensis can be clearly separated from Chromatomyia syngenesiae, C. horticola, L. trifolii (EPPO A2 quarantine pest) and L. sativae (EPPO A1 quarantine pest). The effect of parasitism of L. huidobrensis by Dacnusa sibirica has been studied and results showed that parasitism is unlikely to cause misidentification of the leaf miner host. A simple biochemical key to separate between these agromyzid leaf miners of economic importance is presented. It can be recalled that the EPPO phytosanitary procedure was based on the same principles but the biochemical key was given only for species of quarantine importance: L. bryoniae, L. trifolii, L. huidobrensis and L. sativae (EPPO, 1992).
Sources
Collins, D.W. (1996) The separation of Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) from related indigenous and non-indigenous species encountered in the United Kingdom using cellulose acetate electrophoresis.
Annals of Applied Biology, 128(3), 387-398.
EPPO (1992) Quarantine Procedure - Identification of Liriomyza spp.
Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 22(2), 235-238.