DNA barcoding of Oncideres saga (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Brazil

Abstract

Combining molecular tools with traditional identification techniques to correctly determine species, genetic diversity and gene flow of forest pest insects is one of the greatest advances in entomology in recent years. The aim of this work was to identify the species Oncideres saga (Dalman, 1823) using the first fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene, from the mitochondrial genome. In Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro state, branches of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. ringed by a species of Cerambycidae were collected and stored under laboratory conditions until the emergence of adult insects. Thirteen insects emerged and were identified as Oncideres saga, based on morphological traits. Eight adult specimens were used for molecular characterization of the COI gene. After obtaining the genomic DNA and amplifying the COI fragment via PCR, the products were sequenced, resulting in a fragment of 639 bp length. This is the first molecular study characterizing the DNA barcode of Oncideres. saga, which is a species genetically distinct from the others of the genus Oncideres. This research provides basic information that can be used to explore new populations of this pest insect in future molecular and applied studies.

Keywords:
Molecular characterization; MtDNA; Forest entomology