Biochemical systematics of the Phyllotreta cruciferae complex (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae : Alticinae)

The biochemical systematics of 6 closely related species: Phyllotreta aerea Allard, 1859, P. astrachanica Lopatin, 1977, P atra (F., 1775), P. consobr ina (Curtis, 1837), P, cruciferae (Goeze, 1777) and P, nigripes (F., 1775) were studied. This study is on the genetics and biochemical systematics of these 6 economically harmful species, including several populations of each species. Material from 27 populations divided over 6 species (>3,500 speci mens) was used for allozyme electrophoresis. An allozyme-based determinatio n key was constructed. Genetic variability measures for the different popul ations were calculated; Rogers modified distances anti Cavalli-Sforza and E dwards are distances between each pair of populations are presented. Unweig hted pair-group method with arithmetic average and distance Wagner trees ba sed on Rogers and Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards arc distances show slightly di fferent topologies. Two major clusters (P. aerea / P. consobrina and P. atr a/ P. cruciferae) are found in all dendrograms, but the positions of P. ast rachanica and P. nigripes leave some room for discussion.