Dynamics of intraguild predation in coccinellids: molecular insights

Abstract

The frequency of intraguild predation (IGP) in coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the extraguild prey habitats affects the dynamics of prey-predator and predator-predator interactions. Higher incidences of IGP among the coexisting coccinellids plausibly threaten the biocontrol strategies and the biodiversity of the indigenous species. It is imperative to present the issue of IGP in predaceous coccinellids in terms of molecular evidence. Hence, we reviewed the existing literature on molecular methods such as PCR-based gut content analysis, DNA barcoding analysis, metagenomics, High-throughput sequencing, and Next generation sequencing, to better understand the incidences of IGP, and their impact on biological control and the decline of native species. The molecular studies have corroborated field and laboratory studies, providing realistic estimations of IGP, the dominance of an IG predator, and its impact on biocontrol and native coccinellids. Limitations and future directions have also been discussed. This is the first review on molecular techniques used to study IGP in coccinellids.