Genetic Diversity in Apple Fruit Moth Indicate Different Clusters in the Two Most Important Apple Growing Regions of Norway

Abstract

Abstract:The apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella (A. conjugella)) in Norway was first identified as a pest in apple production in 1899. We here report the first genetic analysis of A. conjugella using molecular markers. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was applied to 95 individuals from six different locations in the two most important apple-growing regions of Norway. Five AFLP primer combinations gave 410 clear polymorphic bands that distinguished all the individuals. Further genetic analysis using the Dice coefficient, Principal Coordinate analysis (PCO) and Bayesian analyses suggested clustering of the individuals into two main groups showing substantial genetic distance. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed greater variation among populations (77.94%) than within populations (22.06%) and significant and high F ST values were determined between the two major regions (Distance = 230 km, F ST = 0.780). AFLP analysis revealed low to moderate genetic diversity in our population sample from Norway (Average: 0.31 expected heterozygosity). The positive significant correlation between the geographic and the molecular data (r 2 = 0.6700) indicate that genetic differences between the two major regions may be due to geographical barriers such as high mountain plateaus (Hardangervidda) in addition to isolation by distance (IBD).

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

“…STRs analyses of Argyresthia conjugella showed very high expected heterozygosity (He = 0.75): higher than previously reported using AFLPs markers (He = 0.31 [ 9 ]). However, AFLPs and STR markers are not directly comparable.…”

“…In Norway, reduced pesticide use against Argyresthia conjugella was achieved by introducing a forecasting system that monitors rowan masting, the moth population, and its natural enemies [ 8 ]. Despite its economic importance, the genetic structure, diversity, genetic exchange and the eco-evolutionary processes, which act on this insect pest remain to be investigated [ 9 ].…”

“…Gene flow and dispersal may be studied using genetic markers, such as short tandem repeats (STRs). STRs are highly polymorphic and reproducible co-dominant markers [ 22 , 23 ] and the efficiency and accuracy are superior to other dominant markers [ 9 ]. Short repeat motifs, long major allele, unbroken repeat, and localization in non-coding regions are associated with high STRs variability [ 24 ].…”

“…In our previous study [ 9 ], we used AFLP markers to investigate the genetic diversity of A. conjugella . Consequently, this study aimed to (i) identify tetranucleotide polymorphic STR markers using Illumina MiSeq sequencing; (ii) develop multiplex PCR combinations of these STR markers; (iii) test the cross-amplifications of the markers on related species ( Argyresthia ivella , Argyresthia pruniella and Argyresthia curvella ) and (iv) evaluate the statistical strength of the markers in a test population.…”

Patterns of genetic variation among geographic and host-plant associated populations of the peach fruit moth Carposina sasakii (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae)

“…Geographical isolation plays an important role in population divergence in nature [ 1 , 4 ] and geographically structured populations have been documented in two other orchard insects which also cause heavy damage to fruit [ 14 , 56 ]. Geographically differentiated pest populations might be more likely to occur in pests of orchards compared to those in ephemeral crop and vegetable fields [ 51 , 57 , 58 ] due to the relatively stable ecosystem provided by orchards [ 59 ].…”