First Discovery of the North American Leaf-Mining Moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Russia: The Genetic Diversity of a Novel Pest in Invaded vs. Native Range

Here, we report the first detection of North American leaf-mining moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Fitch, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) in Primorsky Krai (the Russian Far East) July 2022. Overall, six moths were reared from leaf mines and identified based adult morphology (forewing pattern male genitalia) three them DNA barcoding. Description that allowed us to distinguish damage Ch. other gracillariids associated with R. is provided. The phylogeographic analysis comparing barcodes Russia those invaded countries Europe (Italy) East Asia (South Korea Japan) native range (North America) was performed. Intraspecific genetic diversity reached 3.29%. Altogether, 10 haplotypes revealed among 21 studied specimens Holarctic. one haplotype common for Japan USA Carolina) suggests invasion could have happened directly, rather than through Europe. A shared defined points at a possible species’ spread earlier Hokkaido. Further distribution expected, bearing mind wide planting these continents. Furthermore, an accidental introduction Southern Hemisphere, where introduced, not ruled out.