The direction, timing and demography of Popillia japonica (Coleoptera) invasion reconstructed using complete mitochondrial genomes.

ABSTRACT: The Japanese beetle Popillia japonica is a pest insect that feeds on hundreds of species of wild and cultivated plants including important fruit, vegetable, and field crops. Native to Japan, the pest has invaded large areas of the USA, Canada, the Azores (Portugal), Italy, and Ticino (Switzerland), and it is considered a priority for control in the European Union. We determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence in 86 individuals covering the entire distribution of the species. Phylogenetic analysis supports a major division between South Japan and Central/North Japan, with invasive samples coming from the latter. The origin of invasive USA samples is incompatible, in terms of the timing of the event, with a single introduction, with multiple Japanese lineages having been introduce

SUBMITTER: Nardi F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10965970 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature