MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF ASOTA ORBONA AND ASOTA CARICAE (LEPIDOPTERA: EREBIDAE) USING MITOCHONDRIAL COI GENE

Abstract

DNA barcoding has become the method of choice for a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective identification of pest species. Since DNA barcoding have
proven to be highly efficient in identifying both immatures and adults, it is used to differentiate invasive and native pests. It has been used in
managing species complexes in agricultural, IPM systems and also in the cases unpredictable species. Recently, DNA barcoding of partial
mitochondrial COI gene is very popular in DNA based identification of various agricultural pest species. The present study investigates the molecular
evolution of the Asota species using COI gene and its usefulness for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships within and among different Asota
species.