Review of the biosystematics and bio-ecology of the groundnut/soya bean leaf miner species (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

Aproaerema modicella (Deventer), Aproaerema simplexella (Walker) and Stomopteryx subsecivella (Zeller, 1852) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) are micro moth (Micro-Lepidoptera) pests of groundnut and soya bean that have been described as different species on different continents. Recent DNA analyses of these species suggest that they are conspecific. Here, a review with emphasis on the genetics, biology, ecology and known host plant preferences of this apparent species is given. We argue, through the genetic/DNA data and analyses, that the three species should be grouped as a single species. The review ends by highlighting the areas that need further research to confirm our hypothesis.