Using DNA Sequences to Determine the Geographic Origins of an Agriculturally Important Invasive Leafmining Fly

Global movement of people and goods has resulted in the movement of agricultural pests from their native geographic range to new regions where they didn’t exist previously. Often, the introduced pests become super-pests in the new location and spread further, becoming “invasive”. It can be difficult to determine the origin and colonization patterns of invasive species. Phylogeography is the study of patterns of geographic variation in genetic markers. This approach can uncover past dispersal patterns of phylogeographic history of movement by invasive species. Understanding the processes and patterns of colonization by invasive species is crucial in planning interventions and pest management strategies. Knowledge of the natural enemies, pesticide resistance, life cycle, etc., in the native range can provide clues to controlling the population in its new range.