Studies on the Phylogenetical Relationship in the Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata Complex Based on Variation of Isozymes (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

The Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata complex is complicated. Besides H, vigintioctomaculata (=Hv) and H. pustulosa(=Hp), other questionable forms, the Western Tokyo form (=Ht) and Towada form epilachnas(=He), are found in Japan. Variation in the blood acid phosphatase and esterase isozymes of this group was examined using the disc electrophoresis technique on acrylamide gel. Judging from the number of isozyme bands per individual in each population, the Hv-complex was in the sequence of Hv