Ecological speciation within the Peristenus pallipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) complex

One of the driving forces of genetic divergence and ecological speciation in insects is host-associated differentiation (HAD), and while numerous examples of HAD has been found in various herbivorous insects, examples in parasitoids are extremely rare. Euphorine braconids in the Peristenus pallipes species complex are parasitoids of important mirid pests such as Lygus lineolaris and Adelphocoris lineolatus, however, species level identification for members within the pallipes complex are difficult due to inconsistent morphological characters and overlapping host records.  Previous research suggests that pallipes complex consists of several host races rather than fully independent species. A comparative analysis of genetic differentiation between mirids collected from different host plants and different locations to that of the parasitoids, and the evolution of the pallipes complex are discussed in light of preliminary results.