Genetic diversity of different populations of the pomegranate fruit moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) using the mitochondrial DNA

Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, is the most important pest of pomegranate in Iran and is one of the most effective threats to the export of this product, but only a few studies have been done on the diversity and genetic structure of its populations.Therefore, in order to increase knowledge about the structure and genetic diversity of this pest populations, infested pomegranates were collected from 12 provinces of the country during 2016 and 2017 and genetic diversity components were investigated using a part of the mitochondrial DNA gene, cytochrome oxidase I (COI). Also, the haplotypic network and the phylogenetic tree was drawn using the maximum likelihood method. In the present study, six haplotypes were obtained. The first haplotype (H1) was common in all populations, which can be considered as the ancestral haplotype so that other haplotypes have been evolved from it. This haplotype is connected to other haplotypes with a mutation and forms a star-like shape in the haplotypic network. Results of the grouping populations indicate that the northern part of Iran has the most diversity of haplotypes in comparison to the central and southern parts, which can be related to native cultivars, genetic diversity of cultivars, and natural habitat of Pomegranates in this area. The adaptation of pomegranates to different micro-climates, development of commercial cultivation of traditional varieties, and the role of the human in product transformation lead to high gene flow and genetic differences reduction even at wide geographical distances.