Identification of MuscidifuraxSpp. by Polymerase Chain Reaction–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the nuclear ribosomal ITS-1 region was used to differentiate Muscidifurax(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) species which are parasitoids of filth fly pupae. Three restriction enzymes, DpnII, MseI, and TaqI, produced restriction patterns which were diagnostic for the four species analyzed, M. raptor, M. raptorellus, M. uniraptor,and M. zaraptor.Seven other restriction enzymes were able to differentiate one or more of the species and can be used alone, or in combination with other enzymes, to verify identifications. No intraspecific variation was observed among the populations examined. The utility of the PCR-RFLP technique compared with other molecular and biochemical diagnostic procedures is discussed.