Comparative Assessment of Genetic Structure in Invasive and Autochthonous Populations of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)

Abstract

The genetic diversity of two native Siberian and two invasive European populations of the Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis was studied under laboratory conditions. Analysis of the population genetic structure revealed a high degree of isolation of the monomorphic population from Sochi, monomorphism of the population from Serbia, and high genetic heterogeneity of the populations from Novosibirsk and Altai. The allelic profile data showed that the Novosibirsk population contained the greatest number of alleles. Our preliminary results indicate high genetic homogeneity of the Sochi population, which is consistent with the initial stage of expansion and contradicts the hypothesis of its hybrid origin.