Lack of phenotypic variation despite population structure in larval utilization of pea aphids by populations of the lady beetle Hippodamia convergens

Christy Grenier, Bryce Summerhays, Ryan Cartmill, Tanairi Martinez, Roxane Saisho, Alexander Rothenberg, Alicia Tovar, Andrew Rynerson, Jerrika Scott, John J. Obrycki, Arun Sethuraman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The convergent lady beetle (Hippodamia convergens) is a generalist natural enemy that is utilized extensively in augmentative biological control across the United States. Recent studies have pointed to both genetic and phenotypic differences in Western (California) versus Eastern (Kansas) populations of the species. Here we investigate (1) genetic population structure, and (2) phenotypic differences in the utilization of pea aphids at temperatures that resemble the Western United States in (a) Eastern versus Western populations, (b) F1 Eastern X Western hybrids versus their progenitor populations, and investigate the effects of competition between (c) Eastern and Western populations. We found no differences in final pupal weight, or the net weight gain ratio through larval development from the third instar to pupal stage, despite genetic population structure. Our study points towards plastic response and effectiveness in feeding phenotypes of Eastern and Western populations of H. convergens, and the absence of hybrid vigor and heterozygote advantages in hybrids.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104507
JournalBiological Control
Volume155
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was funded by USDA grant #2017-06423 to Drs. George Vourlitis and Arun Sethuraman. AS was supported by NSF ABI Development grant #1564659. We would like to acknowledge our collaborator, Dr. JP Michaud for field collecting and shipping the Kansas (Eastern) population of H. convergens. RS, RC were funded by a CSUSM Summer Scholars fellowship, and JS was funded by an NSF REU grant #1852189 to Drs. Betsy Read and Arun Sethuraman. We would also like to thank Dr. Elinne Becket for help with optimizing the microsatellite analyses. We also thank the reviewers and editors for their insightful comments that have helped strengthen this study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)

Keywords

  • Augmentative biological control
  • Phenotypic plasticity
  • Population structure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Insect Science

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