DNA barcoding and evolutionary lineage of 15 insect pests of horticultural crops in South India

Pest management tools should rely to proper identification of arthropod species, which are usually classified relying on morphological keys. However, the shortcomings and limitations of the conventional taxonomical identification methods highlighted need for new and simple methods of pest identification. In this research, DNA barcoding was used to identify 15 insect pests attacking horticultural crops in South India. Accurate phylogenetic information and evolutionary divergence data were supported and evidenced by various parameters, including the rates of substitution, nucleotide composition, genetic divergence, test of selection and saturation analysis. The null hypothesis of neutral selection was rejected in favour of the alternate hypothesis of purifying selection. NJ and ML trees were calculated and the individuals of the same species clustered together based on the CO1 sequence similarity, regardless of their collection site and geographic location. Overall, this study adds basic knowledge to molecular ecology of important insect pests attacking horticultural crops in South India.