Cryptic genetic diversity and associated ecological differences of Anastatus orientalis, an egg parasitoid of the spotted lanternfly

Anastatus orientalis , native to northern China, is an egg parasitoid wasp of the spotted lanternfly ( Lycorma delicatula ) and being tested as a potential biological control agent for invasive L. in United States. As component these evaluations, live A. collected from Beijing Yantai China were reared containment U.S. These specimens showed different responses diapause behaviors rearing conditions used previously by other researchers. To understand primary mechanism potentially driving discrepancies important life history traits, we molecular tools examine genetic composition South Korea, where has been introduced aid population management . Molecular analysis mitochondrial DNA recovered six haplotype groups, which exhibit biased frequency abundance between collection sites. Some haplotypes are widespread, others only occur certain locations. No apparent pattern observed wasps years or emergence seasons. Uncorrected distances groups range 0.44% 1.44% after controlling within-group variation. Genetic variance characterized high levels local diversity that contrasts with lack broad-scale structure. The Korean exhibits lower compared populations. Additionally, created iso-female lines major through laboratory rearing. Differences behavior correlated haplotype. Our results indicate traits have base.