Monitoring of the Apple Fruit Moth: Detection of Genetic Variation and Structure Applying a Novel Multiplex Set of 19 STR Markers.

Abdelhameed Elameen,Hans Eiken,Ida Fløystad,Snorre Hagen,Geir Knudsen

doi:10.3390/molecules23040850

Abdelhameed Elameen, Hans Eiken + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040850

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Abstract

The apple fruit moth Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae) is a seed predator of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and is distributed in Europe and Asia. In Fennoscandia (Finland, Norway and Sweden), rowan fruit production is low every 2–4 years, and apple (Malus domestica) functions as an alternative host, resulting in economic loss in apple crops in inter-mast years. We have used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to identify a set of 19 novel tetra-nucleotide short tandem repeats (STRs) in Argyresthia conjugella. Such motifs are recommended for genetic monitoring, which may help to determine the eco-evolutionary processes acting on this pest insect. The 19 STRs were optimized and amplified into five multiplex PCR reactions. We tested individuals collected from Norway and Sweden (n = 64), and detected very high genetic variation (average 13.6 alleles, He = 0.75) compared to most other Lepidoptera species studied so far. Spatial genetic differentiation was low and gene flow was high in the test populations, although two non-spatial clusters could be detected. We conclude that this set of genetic markers may be a useful resource for population genetic monitoring of this economical important insect species.

Highlights

The apple fruit moth Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae; Zeller 1839) is a seed predator of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
We have developed 19 novel tetranucleotide short tandem repeats (STRs) markers to be used in multiplex PCRs for population genetic monitoring of the apple fruit moth, which is a threat to apple crops in Fennoscandia
This is the first full set of tetranucleotide STR markers that have been developed for an insect species

Summary

Introduction

The apple fruit moth Argyresthia conjugella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae; Zeller 1839) is a seed predator of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia). The life cycle of Argyresthia conjugella is univoltine This insect was detected as a crop pest for the first time in Norway in 1899 following an epidemic attack on apple [4]. In Fennoscandia (Finland, Norway and Sweden), rowan fruit production shows large fluctuations and is low every 2–4 years [5] In these inter-mast years, female apple fruit moths are forced to search for alternative hosts and nearby apple (Malus domestica) plantations are especially vulnerable [5,6,7]. These similarities may be the reason for the Argyresthia conjugella host switch from rowan to apple [6] For this reason, the apple fruit moth is regarded as a serious insect pest of apple crops in Fennoscandia and can in extreme years devastate the Molecules 2018, 23, 850; doi:10.3390/molecules23040850 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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