DNA barcoding of fogged caterpillars in Peru: A novel approach for unveiling host-plant relationships of tropical moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera)

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 30;15(1):e0224188. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224188. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The present study aimed to perform molecular identification of lepidopteran larvae from canopy fogging including gut-content analyses. A total of 130 lepidopteran larvae were selected from 37 fogging samples at the Panguana station, district Yuyapichis, province Puerto Inca, department Huánuco, Peru. Target trees were pre-identified and subsequently submitted to molecular confirmation of identity with three markers (rbcL, psbA and trnL-F). The COI gene of 119 lepidopteran larvae was successfully sequenced and found to belong to 92 species: Comparison of DNA barcodes with the reference database of adult moths resulted in 65 (55%) matches at species level, 32 (27%) at genus level, 19 (16%) at subfamily or family level, three just to order level. Three larvae could not be assigned to a family. For these larvae the fogged target tree now suggests a potential host-plant relationship. Molecular gut content analysis, based on High-Throughput-Sequencing was successfully tested for ten larvae corroborating feeding on the target plant in some cases but elucidating several other cases of potential 'alternative feeding'. We propose a larger-scale approach using this rapid and efficient method including molecular gut-content analyses for comprehensively testing the ratio of 'alternative feeders' and pitfalls caused by collateral fogging of larvae from neighboring trees.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / methods*
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Insecta / classification
  • Insecta / genetics
  • Larva / genetics
  • Moths / classification
  • Moths / genetics*
  • Peru
  • Phylogeny*
  • Plants / classification
  • Plants / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • Tropical Climate

Substances

  • DNA

Grants and funding

The authors GH, JD, AxH recieved financial support from the State of Bavaria in the framework of the SNSB Innovativ program (1/2017; Staatliche Bayerische Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen; https://www.snsb.de/index.php/de/) allowing to engage the author JM, as manager of AIM (Advanced Identification Methods GmbH, München, Germany), to perform part of the plant barcoding and metabarcoding analyses. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The funder (State of Bavaria) provided also support in the form of salaries for authors GH, JD, AF, AxH, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.