Genetic structuring of three types of Hyphantria moths (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) inferred from the mitochondrial COI sequence analysis

The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) is a pest insect distributed in North America, and was introduced to the Far East Asia and South-East Europe. In North America, Hyphantria cuneahas a sibling species (the black- and red-headed types) whose taxonomic status has not been settled. These types have overlapping distributions in the field in the Eastern United States but the reproductive seasons of the two types are segregated. Besides the typical black- and red-headed types, another type which is characterized by the ‘mosaic’ type larval heads of black and red is known. The mosaic type inhabits North-West America. These types are considered to be reproductively isolated from each other by their life cycles and mating times.

In this study, we focus on genetic separation of the three Hyphantria moths using mitochontal DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene as a molecular marker. COI sequence analysis showed three major clusters that can be characterized by larval pigmentation, behavior, geographical distribution and nest web. The red-headed type and mosaic type are genetically close, while the black-headed type and red-headed type seem to be at an early stage of speciation.