Characterization of endosymbionts of cotton mealybug (Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley) on okra using metagenomics approach

Abstract

The exotic cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is highly invasive, cryptic and polyphagous pest inflicting severe crop damage in economically important crops worldwide. P. solenopsis is characterized by their ability to thrive in various crop ecosystems due to their high fecundity, capacity to develop resistance against synthetic insecticides and association with diverse range of microorganisms which play crucial role in their life cycle. A study was therefore envisaged to identify endosymbionts of P. solenopsis and analysis was done to quantify the major endosymbionts associated, in Kerala during 2016 – 2017. The samples collected from Thrissur and Palakkad districts were subjected to metagenomics analysis. It revealed the presence of 15 bacterial phyla, 25 classes, 40 orders, 63 families, 97 genus and 189 species under 3 bacterial domains.