The Evolutionary Relationships of Three Forms of the Jarrah Leaf Miner, Perthida Glyphopa (Common) (Lepidoptera: Incurvariidae).

Abstract

Isoenzymes from larvae of Perthida glyphopa Common from 2 food-plants, Eucalyptus marginata and E. rudis, were examined in the laboratory in Australia. Significant differences in the frequencies of alleles at 4 gene loci were found in larvae collected from adjacent trees of the 2 species in Western Australia. The most reasonable explanation of the data is that there is little or no gene flow between populations on the 2 food-plants. Since P. glyphopa was described from E. marginata, the incurvariid that attacks E. rudis is a new species. Evidence is presented that suggests that the species from a 3rd food-plant, E. todtiana, may be conspecific with P. glyphopa.