Population genetic structure of a native fruit pest, the plum curculio beetle (Conotrachelus nenuphar)

The plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst, is an economically important pest in the United States. If untreated, the beetle causes significant damage to plum, peach, apple, and other fruit crops. It is widely considered the major obstacle to organic or low-spray commercial stone fruit production in the eastern US and Canada. Yet, little is known about its population structure, connectivity, and history. Mitochondrial loci are used to investigate these population features across the species’ native range. Results suggest notable levels of genetic differentiation and lack of connectivity between northern and southern populations.