Identification of Gylptapanteles sp. (Hymenoptera - Braconidae) from Madeira island by enzymatic analysis.

Abstract

During the Scientific Expedition effectuated in Madeira Island in September 1997, Pseudaletia (Mythimna) unipuncta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were collected in maize fields and pastures. These larvae were parasilized by a braconid belonging to Glyptapanteles genus. This population was characterised biochemically to identify the species. Seven enzyme systems studied by electrophoresis were analysed: aldehyde oxidase (AO), aglycerophosphate dehydrogenase (a-GPO), tetrazolium oxidase (TO), malate dehydrogenase (MOH), glucose-6-dehydrogenase (G6PO), malic enzyme (ME), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IOH). All systems presented only one band, with two exceptions: a-GPO and ME with two bands which corresponded to different locus. No polimorphic enzymes were detected. Comparing this result s with those obtained from G. militaris collected in Azores Islands and in Quebec-Canada we cau suggest that the population of Glyptapanteles collected in Madeira Island belongs to G. militaris species.