Abstract: Despite the importance of Scoliidae (Hymenoptera) in pest biological control and plant pollination, their taxonomy and systematics are far from clear. Some species are difficult to differentiate because of extreme morphological characteristics similarity. DNA barcoding is a useful tool to delineate species that are difficult to identify using morphological structures. In this study, the six and three samples of Scoliid wasps were collected in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Camarines Sur, Bicol, and Nueva Ecija, respectively, were discerned using DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene. Collected scoliid wasps from two sites have bodies that were fairly large and shouted; length ranged from 16.5 – 19.73mm. Antennae were light red; wings black with purplish reflections; and abdomen with faint blue reflections. Results showed that the three samples (1CBSUA, 2CBSUA, and 4CBSUA) from CBSUA and one sample (2NE) from Nueva Ecija were similar to Scolia kuroiwae. However, only two (1CBSUA, 97.2%; 2NE, 97.8%) from these samples passed the 97.0% cutoff of similarity. On the other hand, the remaining samples (3CBSUA, 5CBSUA, and 6CBSUA; 1NE and 3NE) were similar to Scolia verticalis but failed to hit the 97.0% cutoff of similarity. Samples with hits lower than the 97.0% similarity threshold suggest the possibility of species diversity among the collected Scoliid wasps in the two sites.
Keywords: DNA barcoding, scarab beetle, Scolia species, Scoliidae.
Title: DNA Barcoding of Scoliid Wasps (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae) From Selected Sites in Luzon Island, Philippines
Author: Del Rosario, Allan B.
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 4, October 2022 - December 2022
Page No: 41-46
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 12-November-2022
