Spatial and temporal genetic variation in Tunisian field populations of Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas).

The potato aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) is a major pest of several economic crops in Tunisia. Using 10 microsatellites, we analyzed five populations of M. euphorbiae sampled during the 2004-2005 solanaceous and cucurbit season (April through September) from five geographic origins.

Ecological specialization of the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover on cultivated host plants.

Many plant-feeding insect species considered to be polyphagous are in fact composed of genetically differentiated sympatric populations that use different hosts and between which gene flow still exists. We studied the population genetic structure of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii that is considered as one of the most polyphagous aphid species. We used eight microsatellites to analyse the genetic diversity of numerous samples of A.

Genotypic diversity of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii (Glover) in Tunisia is structured by host plants.

The study of intraspecific variation with respect to host plant utilization in polyphagous insects is crucial for understanding evolutionary patterns of insect-plant interactions. Aphis gossypii (Glover) is a cosmopolitan and extremely polyphagous aphid species. If host plant species or families constitute selective regimes to these aphids, genetic differentiation and host associated adaptation may occur.

Characterization of a highly conserved satellite DNA from the parasitoid wasp Trichogramma brassicae.

An EcoRI satellite DNA has been isolated, cloned and sequenced from Trichogramma brassicae, a minute parasitic wasp. This repeated family represents 16% of the genome. The monomer is 385 base pairs (bp) long and has an A+T content of 64.

Variation in clonal diversity in glasshouse infestations of the aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover in southern France.

Aphis gossypii is an aphid species that is found throughout the world and is extremely polyphagous. It is considered a major pest of cotton and cucurbit species. In Europe, A.