Search

To assist with plant quarantine inspections, we developed a specific primer set for use in a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction method of distinguishing the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.). from other tortricid pests in cherries imported from western North America: Archips argyrospila (Walker), A. rosana (L.), Argyrotaenia franciscana (Walsingham), Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Hubner), Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris), Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), Grapholita molesta (Busck), G. packardi Zeller, G. prunivora (Walsh), Pandemis pyrusana (Kearfott), and Spilonota ocellana (Denis and Schiffermuller). A 472-bp fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was sequenced in 3–18 specimens of each species except for A. rosana and P. pyrusana. C. pomonella demonstrated consistent and diagnostic differences from other species in two regions of the COI gene from which forward and reverse primers were designed to amplify a 326-bp segment. The primer sets were used to selectively amplify DNA from specimens obtained from various geographic origins to check for C. pomonella. This method enabled immediate and accurate identification of C. pomonella, and thus provides an effective tool for nations concerned about possible invasions of this pest.