ECOLOGY AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF THE INVASIVE PEST TUTA ABSOLUTA IN SOUTHERN KAZAKHSTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26577/Abstract
Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) is one of the most destructive invasive pests of solanaceous crops, particularly tomato, posing a serious threat to agricultural production worldwide. In recent years, the rapid expansion of this species has been reported in Central Asia; however, data on its ecology and molecular identification in Kazakhstan remain limited. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and ecological distribution of T. absoluta in southern Kazakhstan using DNA barcoding approaches. Adult moths and larvae were collected from tomato agroecosystems across several southern regions. Molecular identification was performed using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, a standard marker for insect barcoding. The obtained sequences showed high similarity to reference T. absoluta sequences available in international databases, confirming the species identity of the collected specimens. Our results indicate the establishment of stable T. absoluta populations in southern Kazakhstan and highlight the urgent need for continuous monitoring and the development of effective phytosanitary management strategies. The application of DNA barcoding provides a reliable tool for accurate pest identification and can support early detection and surveillance systems for invasive insect species.
Key words: Tuta absoluta, DNA barcoding, COI gene, invasive pest, phytosanitary monitoring
