28S ribosomal RNA sequences separate five prominent Lygus (Hemiptera: Miridae) pest species into three species clusters

A segment of the 28S rRNA gene was compared among six species of Lygus (L. hesperus, L. keltoni, L. borealis, L. elisus, L. lineolaris, L. vanduzeii). The DNA sequences separate into three main groups. The LL group contains L. lineolaris and L. vanduzeii. Group LBLE is comprised of L. elisus and most of the L. borealis. Group LH includes L. hesperus and most of L. keltoni. Some L. keltoni were part of the LBLE group and some L. borealis were part of the LH group. The 28S region does not contain sufficient polymorphism to delineate species. The apparent polyphyly of L. borealis and L. keltoni could reflect historic interbreeding or highlight inadequacies of morphospecies identification.