An Improved Bulk DNA Extraction Method for Detection of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Using Real-Time PCR.

is among the most problematic agricultural pests worldwide due to its polyphagy and ability to evolve pesticide resistance. Molecular detection methods for have been developed to track its spread, as such methods allow for rapid and accurate differentiation from the native sibling species . Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a preferred method for bulk screening due to its accuracy and tolerance to PCR inhibitors; however, real-time PCR is less expensive and more widely available in molecular labs.

CO1 barcodes resolve an asymmetric biphyletic clade for subspecies and provide nucleotide variants for differentiation from related lineages using real-time PCR.

is a multivoltine polyphagous beetle species that has long been documented as a significant agricultural pest throughout its native range in North America. This beetle can vector bacterial and viral plant pathogens that result in major losses to crops such as cucumber and soybean. Many countries outside the Americas treat as a species of quarantine importance, while in the USA only the subspecies is subject to quarantine, to prevent introduction from Mexico.

Viral Prevalence and Genomic Xenology in the Coevolution of HzNV-2 (Nudiviridae) with Host (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insect viruses have been described from numerous lineages, yet patterns of genetic exchange and viral prevalence, which are essential to understanding host-virus coevolution, are rarely studied. In , the virus HzNV-2 can cause deformity of male and female genitalia, resulting in sterility. Using ddPCR, we found that male with malformed genitalia (agonadal) contained high levels of HzNV-2 DNA, confirming previous work.

Ultra-deep sequencing of 45S rDNA to discern intragenomic diversity in three Chrysodeixis species for molecular identification.

Species identification is necessary to prevent introductions of exotic plant pests through global trade. Many of these pests are understudied and lack publicly available DNA sequence data on which rapid molecular identification methods can be based. One such lineage is the genus Chrysodeixis, which includes three species of potential concern for United States trade initiatives: C.

Field-based recombinase polymerase amplification and lab-based qPCR assays for detection of Helicoverpa armigera.

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a major crop pest native to Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa which has recently invaded South America and has caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses. Because of challenges in differentiating between H. armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a closely related species native to North and South America, genetic tests have previously been developed to detect H.

A Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) Assay to Detect Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Bulk Trap Samples.

The moth species Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (formerly Tuta absoluta) is serious threat to tomato and other Solanaceous crops worldwide and is invasive throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. While P. absoluta has not yet been found in the U.

Assay Optimization Can Equalize the Sensitivity of Real-Time PCR with ddPCR for Detection of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Bulk Samples.

(Hübner) is one of the most important agricultural pests in the world. This historically Old World species was first reported in Brazil in 2013 and has since spread throughout much of South America and into the Caribbean. Throughout North America, surveys are ongoing to detect any incursions.

Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Fungal Pathogen from Western Colorado Peach Orchards and the Development of a ddPCR Assay for Detection and Quantification.

Cytospora canker is one of the most important diseases affecting peach production in Colorado, yet previous efforts to characterize species diversity in Colorado have relied exclusively on morphological traits. Recently, several new species were described from peach orchards within the United States using molecular and morphological data, prompting the need to reexamine spp. present on peach trees in Colorado.

A Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Identification of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), is a highly destructive pest of tomatoes, causing damage to leaves, stalks, buds, and fruits. Native to South America, T. absoluta is now found throughout Europe, South Asia, Africa, parts of Central America, and the Caribbean.

A ddPCR Assay for Identification of Autographa gamma (Noctuidae: Plusiinae) in Bulk Trap Samples.

The silver Y moth [Autographa gamma (Linneaus) (Noctuidae: Plusiinae)] is a pervasive crop pest in its native range but has not been found in moth surveys in the United States. Specimens of A. gamma are often intercepted at U.

A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay to detect Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in bulk trap samples.

Moths in the genus Helicoverpa are some of the most important agricultural pests in the world. Two species, H. armigera (Hübner) and H.