Tracking the pine processionary moth with genetic markers
Global climate change threatens not only the world's weather patterns, but also its ecosystems. For instance, a rise in temperature in some regions could allow the infiltration of new predators. The pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is one such example. The pine processionary moth (PPM) attacks pine trees and recent evidence indicates that the range of this predator is in fact growing. Europe's rich pine forests are at risk. The LIFE QUALITY Programme funded the PROMOTH project to develop an effective approach to Integrated Pest Management, aiming to avoid or mitigate the ecological damage associated with PPM outbreaks. The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), a PROMOTH partner, proposed the use of genetic markers to provide insight into PPM population dynamics. INRA identified six independent microsatellite markers associated with varying levels of polymorphism. The markers provide a plethora of information about genetic diversity, gene flow and population traits, allowing insight into issues such as expansion, migration and dispersion. These markers can be exploited by forest managers, local authorities, academics, etc. to shed light on PPM colonisation. Only once the origin of new PPM populations is known can suitable control measures be designed. INRA published the results of their work in Molecular Ecology Notes (MEN) while further technical details can be found in the MENotes and Genbank databases.
