Case Study
Submitted By
| Name: | Karen Armstrong |
| Institution: | Lincoln University |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Email: | armstron@lincoln.ac.nz |
Title & Categories
| Case Study Title: | Quarantine pest identification |
| Focus Theme: | |
| Geographic Region: | |
| Habitat Type: | |
| Taxonomic Group: |
Scope
Currently a reference DNA barcode dataset spans high risk quarantine tephritid (fruit fly) and lymantriid (tussock moth) pest species, plus a number of relevant low risk species with which their identity could be confused.
DNA barcode data is also being collated in associated research programmes for other exotic pest species as well as for pests already present in New Zealand. This includes other fly and moth taxa as well as mealy bugs, weevils, spiders and ticks.
Purpose
The purpose is to replace the ad hoc molecular tools previously used to support biosecurity/quarantine diagnostics with a generic technology platform that can be easily and continuously updated, as well as be more efficient for routine use. This will allow the needs of biosecurity/quarantine authorities to be more effectively accommodated with changing trade agreements and pathway risks. Given the global nature of DNA barcoding activity, this approach will also provide a means by which reference data accumulated through other unrelated research and initiatives can be useful for identification of unanticipated species interceptions.
Background
Molecular tools have been used to assist Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) entomologists since 1994, specifically for the identification of immature life stages of insects that cannot be diagnosed to species using the morphological keys available(1-3). Increasing the number of species covered by these procedures is difficult to accommodate and cumbersome for routine use. The successful investigaton of COI barcode data as a species identifier for selected tephritid and lymantriid species(4,5) has led to replacement of the previous methods for these two groups. Species data continues to be added as specimens for relevant taxa become available and contributes to the Tephritid Barcoding Initiative (TBI) and to the lepidopteran dataset in BOLD (see associated case studies).
(1)Armstrong et al. (1997) Fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) species identification: a rapid molecular diagnostic technique for quarantine application. Bull.Ent.Res. 87: 111-118;
(2) Armstrong et al. (2003) Tussock moth species arriving on imported used vehicles determined by DNA analysis. NZ Pl.Prot. 56: 16-20;
(3) Dugdale et al. (2005) A diagnostic guide to Tortricidae encountered in field surveys and quarantine inspections in New Zealand. Pub: MAF NPPRL. ISBN 0-478-07953-2 pp158;
(4) Armstrong, KF & Ball SL (2005) DNA barcodes for biosecurity: invasive species identification. Phil. Tran. R. Soc. Lond B 360: 1462, 1813 - 1823
(5) Ball SL & Armstrong KF (2006) A universal DNA-based identification system for insect pests: a test case with the Lymantriidae. Can.J.For. Res. 36: 337-350
Logistics
The collation of DNA barcode data for agriculturally related biosecurity/quarantine taxa is currently possible through two main initiatives:
- Emerging technologies for border diagnostics: Identification using genetic and stable isotope signatures. Bio-Protection Centre, Biosecurity Theme. Tertiary Education Commission funding. http://www.bioprotection.org.nz/
- Better Border Biosecurity (B3) - a large cooperative science programme across five New Zealand institutional partners and four endusers. Foundation for Research Science and Technology funding. http://www.b3nz.org/public/index.php
International partners are sought to assist with provision of specimens, taxonomic skills or DNA barcode data. Financial and logistical support from endusers that foresee a benefit in developing this method for these or other taxa of interest is also sought. Both aspects are essential to build the robust reference datasets for pest and invasive species that will be necessary to improve international surveillance and quarantine activity in the future.