MOLECULAR BARCODING AND PHYLOGENY ANALYSIS OF GONIOZUS NEPHANTIDIS (HYMENOPTERA: BETHYLIDAE), A LARVAL PARASITOID OF COCONUT BLACK HEADED CATERPILLAR, OPISINA ARENOSELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: OECOPHORIDAE)

Abstract

Goniozus nephantidis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) a larval parasitoid of O. arenosella and this study reveals molecular barcoding and phylogeny analysis of G. nephantidis. The adult G. nephantidis gave excellent control of larvae of O. arenosella. We have PCR amplified and sequenced partial fragment of cytochrome oxidase1 gene of (COI) of G. nephantidis (Gen Bank Accession: KM 216267) isolated from Kerala, India and its phylogenetic status. In Partial COI DNA sequence of G. nephantidis has is 11.44 % difference to that of G. jacintae (KF 027190).