Mitochondrial DNA COI characterization of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Paraguay and Uruguay

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Since its detection in Brazil in 2013, the Old World cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera has been reported in Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Here we present evidence extending the South American range of H. armigera to Uruguay, using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the partial mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I region. Molecular characterization of this gene region from individuals from Paraguay also supports previous morphological identification of H. armigera in Paraguay. Shared mtDNA haplotypes in H. armigera from Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay were identified. Additional surveying of populations in this region will be imperative to better monitor and understand factors that are underpinning its presence and successful adaptation in these South American regions. We discuss our findings with respect to the development of resistance pest management strategies of this invasive insect pest in a predominantly monoculture soybean crop landscape in the Southern Cone region.

Soybean Stem Fly, Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae), in the New World: detection of high genetic diversity from soybean fields in Brazil

“…The SSF high genetic diversity was similar to those of other invasive pests that have established in the South America, e.g., Asian citrus psyllids, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae; Guidolin et al, 2014) and the invasive and highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest H. armigera (Mastrangelo et al, 2014;Arnemann et al, 2016b). The number of haplotypes identified in the relatively small sample sizes within Brazil suggests high number of maternal lineages in the populations of M. sojae, and is reminiscent of the invasive genetic signature of H. armigera detected in Brazil to date (e.g., Tay et al, 2013;Mastrangelo et al, 2014).…”

Introduction of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in the regions of Calabria and Sicily (southern Italy)

“…The findings can also contribute to tracking future movements of this honey bee pest, particularly through migratory beekeeping and trade, considering the existing restrictions on movements within the two affected regions of Italy and between these regions and the rest of the European Union (EU 2015b). These genetic markers have already proven useful in the detection and tracing of new incursions of pests leading to economic losses in a variety of cropping systems around the world (Ehler et al 2004;Díaz et al 2015;Blacket et al 2015;Wu et al 2015;Arnemann et al 2016). mtDNA sequence analysis should also facilitate identification of the origins of any further beetle introductions to Europe within the framework of an EU surveillance program (Chauzat et al 2015).…”

Invasion origin, rapid population expansion, and the lack of genetic structure of cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) in the Americas

“…Despite the absence of an official record about specific invasion routes of H. armigera to Brazil, sequential investigations rapidly started, indicate new reports of H. armigera in the Americas. Initially, outbreaks began to be reported in other South American countries (Arnemann et al, ; Murúa et al, ), then to Caribbean (NAPPO, ) and, finally, Florida, USA, in 2015 (APHIS, ; Hayden & Brambila, ). Around three years after being officially reported, H. armigera had almost reached the entire American continent.…”