Genomic and ecological evidence shed light on the recent demographic history of two related invasive insects

Abstract

Hypogeococcus pungens is a species complex native to southern South America that is composed of at least five putative species, each one specialized in the use of different host plants. Two of these undescribed species were registered as invasive in Central and North America: Hyp-C is a cactophagous mealybug that became an important pest that threatens endemic cactus species in Puerto Rico, and Hyp-AP feeds on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae hosts, but does not produce severe damage to the host plants. We quantified genomic variation and investigated the demographic history of both invasive species by means of coalescent-based simulations using high throughput sequencing data. We also evaluated the incidence of host plant infestation produced by both species and used an ecological niche modeling approach to assess potential distribution under current and future climatic scenarios. Our genetic survey evinced the footprints of strong effective population size reduction and signals of genetic differentiation among populations within each species. Incidence of plant attacks varied between species and among populations within species, with some host plant species preferred over others. Ecological niche modeling suggested that under future climatic scenarios both species would expand their distribution ranges in Puerto Rico. These results provide valuable information for the design of efficient management and control strategies of the Puerto Rican cactus pest and shed light on the evolutionary pathways of biological invasions.

Population Genomics and Genetic Diversity of the Invasive Chrysanthemum Lace Bug (Corythucha Marmorata) Across Its Invasive Range in Japan

“…Alternatively, populations of alien species may show a large fraction of the genetic variability of the native population when introductions involve many individuals (Li et al 2023;Parvizi et al 2023). Similarly, the genetic diversity sampled by an alien introduction will be high if founder populations come from different source populations of the native range through multiple introductions due to intraspeci c admixture (Sakata et al 2015;Ortego et al 2021;Poveda-Martínez et al 2022;Parvizi et al 2023).…”

Effect of egg production dynamics on the functional response of two parasitoids

“…The cactus mealybug poses a threat to Cactaceae in North America and in other islands in the Caribbean and Central America [49,50]. The pest was formerly identified as Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink [51], but now it is acknowledged that H. pungens is a species complex, and that the Puerto Rican pest is derived from Brazilian cactus-feeding mealybugs [48,52].…”

Population genetics and ecological niche modelling provide insights into management strategies of the herbivorous pest Phytomyza horticola (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

“…It has allowed researchers to better understand their evolutionary process and ecological adaptability, and to predict their suitable conditions and spatial distributions. All of these insights are useful in the development of pest management strategies (Poveda‐Martínez et al, 2022; Shabani et al, 2013; Zhu et al, 2016).…”