DNA barcoding, life history and taxonomy of Lablab pod borer, Adisura atkinsoni Moore (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Abstract

DNA barcoding and morphological characters together with thorough bioecological investigations to diagnose field bean pod borer, Adisura atkinsoni Moore, 1881 an important pest was carried out. A. atkinsoni has a limited host range. The incidence of Adisura was higher on local varieties (photo sensitive) compared to HA4 hybrid (photo-insensitive). The field bean pod borer appeared during middle of October and continue to March. The undefined taxa were identified using both female and male genitalia. But since they could be differentiated from their morphologically closest relative, they were marked as sensu lato. While doing BLAST analysis, the mitochondrial COI Sequence of Adisura specimens collected from Bengaluru showed similarity to A. bella. In the phylogenetic tree, these two samples Sp1 and Sp2 separate new sub-clade which stands separately from the rest of the Adisura species. It was identified that the lepidopteran samples collected from Bengaluru are Adisura and the DNA sequences did not match with any of the existing species of Adisura. The shift in this pest’s prevalence has been discussed.