DNA barcode of stored-product pests based on Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I Gene

The stored-product pests are economically important that can be spread through grain trade. Most storedproduct pests, including eggs, nymphs, and adults, are very small and difficult to identify morphologically. Also the classification and identification of them have always been hindered by the overwhelming number of species, widely distribution. Here, we collected 43 stored-product pests from 46 geographical locations in China and other countries. The mtDNA COI gene sequences were sequenced. Software MEGA 5 was used to analyze the sequence comploition and genetic distances. Three molecular phylogenetic trees of Platypodidae were recomstructed using PAUP4.0 according to distance/ the neighbour-joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP). The molecular results were compared with the morphological taxonomy. The interspecific genetic distance of the stored-product pests was significantly higher than the intraspecific genetic distance according to the barcoding gap analysis. This work provides a practical approach for the precise and rapid diagnosis of storedproduct pests.