Protein polymorphism in natural populations of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Thailand

Abstract

Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) is a larval parasitoid of tephritid flies and is widely used as a classical biological control agent. We have used allozyme electrophoresis to evaluate the genetic relationships of six populations of D. longicaudata in Thailand. Twelve loci were examined of which 11 were polymorphic in at least some populations, especially that of Nakornratchasima. We observed a complete lack of heterozygotes for seven of the 10 polymorphic loci in the Nakornratchisima female population, and a significant deficiency of heterozygotes at a further two loci. We discuss possible hypotheses for these findings in light of the haplo-diploid sex determination system of these wasps.