The first native pupae parasitoid of Ceratitis capitata in Turkiye: The molecular identification of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae

Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a polyphagous species and a serious pest worldwide. In the present study, surveys for C. capitata associated parasitoids were conducted in the Adana province of Turkiye. Our finding represents the first record in Turkiye of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) as a parasitoid of C. capitata. The developments in molecular techniques enable more reliable identification of parasitoid and insect species, recently as some sibling species of some genera are very difficult to distinguish because of their similar morphological features. The morphologic diagnosis confirmed the three parasitoid individuals and was supplemented with the molecular diagnosis of P. vindemmiae. The universal primer (LCO1490 and HCO2198) targeted the mitochondrial COI gene successfully, with a mean size of the amplified fragment of 630 bp. The sequences were 96-100% like those of the respective species in the GenBank database, according to the BLASTn queries based on the COI of the samples.

Automated summary

This study conducted surveys on parasitoids associated with the Mediterranean fruit fly in the Adana province of Turkiye, and identified a new species of parasitoid called Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae. The advances in molecular techniques allowed for more accurate identification of parasitoid and insect species. Through sequencing and comparing the mitochondrial COI gene, the identity of the parasitoid species was confirmed.