Genetic variation of rice stink bugs, <i>Oebalus</i> spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) from Southeastern United States and Cuba

Abstract The rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has been a pest of rice in the United States since the 1880s. Besides this species, there now are two invasive Oebalus species, O. ypsilongriseus (De Geer) and O. insularis Stål, which are found in Florida. Genetic variation of these economically important species is unknown, limiting our understanding of Oebalus evolution and demography. Here we provide the first population-level investigation of genetic diversity in these species. Ninety two adult stink bugs were collected from the southeastern United States (Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida), and Cuba. A region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene was sequenced from all sampled individuals. From the 68 O. pugnax samples, 14 haplotypes were observed, with one haplotype, G, occurring in 29 % of the samples. Many haplotypes were shared among populations, but several were unique to individual populations. There is genetic support for the movement of O. pugnax within the southeastern USA, with the majority of O. pugnax haplotypes being shared among the three sampled states. Also, with several haplotypes of O. pugnax being found only in single populations, there may be locally adapted regional populations of O. pugnax . Unlike O. pugnax , no genetic variation was observed among the Florida and Cuba O. ypsilongriseus and O. insularis. This research provides evidence that Cuba is the most likely source of these two invasive species to Florida. These data on O. pugnax genetic diversity may provide insight into the movement of this species among different geographical areas, different host plants, and potential spread of insecticide resistant populations.