Sequence Polymorphism of the Mitochondrial DNA Control Region in Nativeand Invasive Populations of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae)
The Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis forms native populations in East Asia and southern Siberia and spreading invasive populations in Europe, Africa, North America and South America in regions with temperate and subtropical climate. We characterized polymorphism of the control region of the mitochondrial genome of H. axyridis in population samples from populations of the native range and invasive range in Europe. Our data supports separation of populations of the native range into the eastern and western population groups and the proximity of the invasive population to the eastern population group. Haplotype diversity is maximal in the H. axyridis population of the eastern population group and is reduced in the invasive population. Mitochondrial haplotypes composition of the European invasive population remains constant in the process of expanding the range of the invasion.