Species Identification of the Anomala Samouelle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) in South Korea With Pictorial Key and DNA Barcode Library

Abstract

Genus Anomala Samouelle, 1819, is a notorious phytophagous pest that harms plant leaves and roots. In South Korea, eight of 13 species have been designated as pest species and have been managed in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry fields. Accurate identification of pest species is crucial for establishing appropriate pest management strategies. However, identifying Korean Anomala species is often challenging because of intraspecific color variations and complex interspecific morphological differences. Therefore, we developed a practical pictorial key with host plant information of Korean Anomala for precise identification. Based on thorough morphological examinations, a mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence library for 11 species was established for molecular identification: A. albopilosa, A. chamaeleon, A. corpulenta, A. cuprea, A. geniculata, A. koreana, A. luculenta, A. mongolica, A. rufocuprea, A. sieversi, and A. viridana. All 37 sequences of the 11 species were clustered into conspecific clades on the phylogenetic tree, with interspecific and intraspecific genetic divergences ranging from 2.2% to 13.7% and from 0.1% to 2.8%, respectively. Our pictorial key, DNA barcode library, and host information provide a comprehensive approach for the practical identification of Anomala species.