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Title: TWO NUCLEAR GENES CONFIRM MITOCHONDRIAL EVIDENCE OF CRYPTIC SPECIES WITHIN LIRIOMYZA HUIDOBRENSIS (DIPTERA: AGROMYZIDAE).

Author
item Scheffer, Sonja
item Lewis, Matthew

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The pea leafmining fly Liriomyza huidobrensis (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is a pest of many vegetable and flower crops including peas, beans, melons, onions, tomatoes, potatos, celery, garlic, lettuce, chrysanthemums, and carnations. During outbreaks, this insect can cause severe damage to these crops, resulting in substanital economic losses. Originally known from the ewestern United States and South America, this fly has recently been introduced into many locations around the world. This research investigated the evolutionary relationships of pea leafmining flies from around the world using DNA sequence data from nuclear genes. Results indicate that the pea leafminer is comprised of two cryptic species, one located in North America and one in South America. This may explain some of the differences that have been observed in pest status and levels of insecticide resistance between populations from different locations. We formally change the taxonomic names to reflect that there are two species. This work has implications for quarantine regulations. This research is of interest to researchers, pest management specialists, and quarantine officials working with the pea leafminer.

Technical Abstract: Phylogentic analysis using DNA sequence data from two nuclear genes was undertaken to investigate phylogeographic structure within the widespread leafmining pest Liriomyza huidobrensis. Parsimony analysis of 171 bp from Beta-tubulin (including an intron) and 921 bp from Elongation Factor 1-alpha confirm previous findings from mitochondrial sequence data of deep phylogeographic structure indicative of cryptic species within L. huidobrensis. We ressurect the name L. langei for the North American cryptic species. Results from nuclear genes also confirm previous results suggesting that recent invasions of this leafminer in many areas of the world are due to the spread of L. huidobrensis from South and/or Central America.