Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Pine Tortoise Scale Insect Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccidae)

Abstract

Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera, Coccidae) is becoming a potential main pest of stone pine plants (Pinus pinea L.), both in urban parks and pinewood forests in Europe. Its recent distribution is a source of concern in several regions of Italy and in France. The early detection of this pest plays a fundamental role to contain its geographical expansion, but its taxonomic identification is still based on laborious observations of the morphological traits. The identification is also complicated by the small size of the pest, which makes the observations possible only through a stereomicroscope. Molecular identification is beneficial for detection, but currently, there is only a single gene sequence available for this pest. This study fills this gap in knowledge by providing the sequences of five different genes (COI, 28S, elongation factor (EF-1α), wingless (wg), and histone H3 (HexA)), together with a phylogenetic analysis carried out among species belonging to Coccidae, one of the most important families of scale insects. The results provide new valuable information about T. parvicornis and may represent useful data for its detection and management practices.