Population genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcodes, comprised of a standard segment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI or cox1), was conducted on Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius), an important agricultural pest commonly referred to as the Hawaiian beet webworm. Results of genetic diversity analyses indicate significant population structure between samples mainly from Australia and nearby regions and those from North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Adults of the two groups are morphologically indistinguishable but are characterised by diagnostic barcode nucleotides and genetic diversity values. Factors possibly involved in driving genetic divergence in S. recurvalis in the Australian region are briefly discussed.
Edward Pfeiler (Mon,) studied this question.