Range-Wide Mitochondrial Genetic Homogeneity in the Invasive South American Tomato Pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with a Focus on Africa

Abstract

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an invasive pest native to South America. Outside of its native range, it was first detected in Spain in 2006 and then rapidly spread to most tomato-growing regions in Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia where the species has become a major threat to tomato production. To implement appropriate policy and surveillance practices, to limit new introductions and spread, and inherent economic losses, better knowledge of its invasion pathways is required. To this end, a large sampling of T. absoluta was performed in native and invaded areas including European and for the first time many African countries. Samples were analysed using a mitochondrial marker (mtCOI) and a phylogenetic approach. Despite extensive sampling and sequencing efforts, an overall lack of genetic variation among the tested specimens (140) was observed. This striking finding may result from a combination of factors and phenomena such as extensive gene flow, severe bottlenecks, reproductive system and human activities, and will be discussed in the framework of biological invasion and pest management.