Gene trees, species trees and male infidelity in a Holarctic Moth (Syndemis, Tortricidae)

The tortricid moth genus Syndemis occurs as two species across most of the Holarctic: S. musculana in Europe and S. afflictana in North America. While both are regarded as pests in parts of their range, they vary widely in host use and phenology. Using samples from across much of Europe and North America, we propose that the evolution of Syndemis is far more complex than previously appreciated. Eight nuclear and mitochondrial genes reveal remarkable species diversity in the California floristic province-at least 5 distinct taxa, more than occur across the rest of North America and Europe combined. These species exhibit parapatry and localized host specialization, including onto Redwood and Monterey Pine.  We interpret this genetic complexity to reticulation in colonization patterns over the past several million years and male infidelity across species lines. These results have important implications for speciation, host specialization and the evolution of agricultural pests.