Molecular Identification of Yeast Like Microorganisms Associated with Field Populations of Aphid Predator, Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Petersen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Their Role in Fecundity

Abstract

Resident microflora of alimentary canal and fat bodies associated with eleven field collected Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben-Petersen) adult females were characterized and their possible role in influencing the fecundity was studied. The isolated yeasts varied among different populations of the predator. Culturable yeasts viz., Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Pichia anomala, Candida blankii, C. apicola, C. pimensis, Torulaspora delbrueckii, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Kodamea ohmeri were isolated from gut, diverticulum and fat bodies of the adult females and characterized by biochemical and molecular tools. The yeast isolate of T. delbrueckii in combination with honey and castor pollen grains were found to increase the fecundity of the adult females as compared to those that were reared on honey and pollen in different generations.