Tracking the origin and dispersal of the Asian chestnut gall waspDryocosmus kuriphilusYasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) in Europe with molecular markers

Abstract

The Asian chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, is an invasive pest causing significant damage to chestnut trees (Castanea spp., Fagaceae). Originating from China, it has recently invaded a wide range of regions in Europe and North America. Understanding the population genetic structure of important invasive pests is very useful for improving the knowledge concerning routes of expansion and colonizing capacity. Despite its economic importance, limited attention has been given to D. kuriphilus origin and spread, or to its genetic structure. In this study, D. kuriphilus populations sampled in eight European countries were screened using both mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1; COI) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer 2; ITS2) sequences, and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The molecular markers COI and ITS2 highlighted the presence of a single haplotype in all the studied populations. The recorded mitochondrial haplotype was identical to one of the most widespread haplotypes occurring in the native area (China). AFLP results indicated that D. kuriphilus individuals belong to two genetically distinct clusters without any further geographic clustering. These results suggest that D. kuriphilus populations in Europe could be the result of a single introduction of a Chinese founder population characterized by two genetically distinct lineages that subsequently spread rapidly across Europe. However, the possibility that populations originated from multiple introductions of the same Chinese mitochondrial haplotype cannot be excluded. The reported results provide useful information concerning this invasive species, potentially facilitating integrated pest management.

Colonization Patterns, Phenology and Seasonal Abundance of the Nearctic Leafhopper Erasmoneura vulnerata (Fitch), a New Pest in European Vineyards

“…Using the salting-out protocol [24], mitochondrial DNA was extracted from 15 samples of the parasitoid Anagrus spp., which were reared in the laboratory from grapevine leaves infested by E. vulnerata. A fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) was amplified and sequenced using the procedure described in Martinez-Sañudo et al [25].…”

Biological control of the Asian chestnut gall wasp in Portugal: Insights from a mathematical model

“…In 2005, the pest was detected in France from where it spread to other countries, including Portugal (2014). Recent research suggests that the spread of D. kuriphilus populations in Europe could be the result of a single introduction of a Chinese founder population that subsequently spread rapidly across Europe [5].…”

Gnomoniopsis castaneae: An emerging plant pathogen and global threat to chestnut systems

“…The ACGW is a notable exception (Maldonado‐López et al, 2015; Stone et al, 2002). Originally native to China, the ACGW is thought to have been introduced to countries all over the world through the importation of infected plant material (Avtzis et al, 2019; EPPO, 2021; Martinez‐Sañudo et al, 2019; Payne et al, 1983; Quacchia et al, 2008). According to the EPPO (2021), the ACGW has been identified in 28 countries worldwide.…”