Subspecies identification in aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) by application of partial sequence of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene: a view on the potential of method

The family Aphididae is one of the most important for crop production group of phytophagous. In such groups, in which certain forms can noticeably vary in their host-specify and harmfulness, correct species and subspecies identification has great significance. Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) is known their high ecological plasticity and simultaneously this family includes a lot of closely related species, morphologically similar subspecies and other forms which morphology-based identification cannot be single-valued. Mitochondrial COI sequences are provided for not only species but subspecies identification of aphids from Europe. Fragments about 540-bp were analyzed. Most of the studied subspecies (76.92 percent) had distinct COI sequences. The rate of nucleotide substitutions on 5'-end of the COI gene varied from two to seven per length (0.37-1.30 %). Difference between subspecies reached the level typical for closed related species, and showed no individual variability or geographic affinity. Based on these results, we conclude that COI sequences can provide an effective tool for identifying aphid subspecies in such applications as pest management, monitoring and plant quarantine.