Mitochondrial DNA variation among host races of Eurosta solidaginis Fitch (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Eurosta solidaginis Fitch (Diptera: Tephritidae) induces galls on two species of goldenrod, Solidago (Compositae), in the northern regions of the United States. Recent studies have demonstrated that E. solidaginis is comprised of two host races that differ in adult emergence times, mate preference, and host preference. However, it is not known how much genetic variation, if any, exists among E. solidaginis host-associated populations west of Minnesota where the two host races occur in sympatry. Sequencing analysis was used to characterize two mitochondrial gene fragments: (1) NADH1 dehydrogenase (ND1: 539 bp) and (2) cytochrome oxidase II + tRNA(Lys) + tRNA(Asp) (CO2KD: 396 bp) from sympatric, host-associated populations of E. solidaginis in North Dakota. Our results indicated that two genetically distinct lineages exist among E. solidaginis in North Dakota that correspond with host-plant association.