ARS | Publication request: Geographic Distribution of mtDNA Clades in the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) in North America

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 1, 2009
Publication Date: December 16, 2009
Citation: Roehrdanz, R.L., Burange, P., Boetel, M., Sears, S. 2009. Geographic Distribution of mtDNA Clades in the Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) in North America [abstract]. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Poster No. D0596.

Technical Abstract: The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Heteroptera: Miridae), is a polyphagous consumer of both crops and native plants. MtDNA sequences of the cox1 barcode region have revealed two clades separated by 3 nucleotide substitutions. While the species can be found throughout North America, it is most prevalent from the Great Plains to the Atlantic Coast. Both genetic variants are found across this region but there are regional differences in their relative frequency. In the northwest portion of the region (Nebraska to North Dakota to Michigan) clade 1 predominates comprising 90% of the individuals. In the south (Texas to Mississippi) and in New England clade 2 is somewhat more prevalent than clade 1. There do not appear to be significant host plant biases between the two clades since both groups have been collected from the same stands of plants.