Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of rDNA for identifying Trichogramma species and evaluating genetic diversity

Abstract Species of Trichogramma Westwood, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammtidae) are frequently used as biological control agents against Lepidoptera, but practical application these egg endoparasitoids complicated because their complex taxonomy. This study aimed to compare sequences internal transcribed spacer regions ribosomal DNA (ITS2-rDNA) accessions with those deposited in GenBank order access the reliability ITS2 a barcode for discriminating species and evaluating genetic diversity. ITS2-rDNA obtained from seventeen specimens confirmed previous identifications based on morphological characteristics. Multiple sequence alignment revealed existence highly conserved while neighbour-joining dendrogram indicated that formed three clusters comprising T. manicobai marandobai (group I), galloi II) pretiosum III). The marker was shown be powerful could complement approach.