Multiple transatlantic introductions of the western corn rootworm.
The invasion of Europe by the western corn rootworm, North America's most destructive corn pest, is ongoing and represents a serious threat to European agriculture. Because this pest was initially introduced in Central Europe, it was believed that subsequent outbreaks in Western Europe originated from this area. Using model-based Bayesian analyses of the genetic variability of the western corn rootworm, we demonstrate that this belief is false: There have been at least three independent introductions from North America during the past two decades. This result raises questions about changing circumstances that have enabled a sudden burst of transatlantic introductions.
Miller
Nicholas
N
Biologie des Populations en Interaction, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1112 Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 400 Route des Chappes, 06903 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France.
Estoup
Arnaud
A
Toepfer
Stefan
S
Bourguet
Denis
D
Lapchin
Laurent
L
Derridj
Sylvie
S
Kim
Kyung Seok
KS
Reynaud
Philippe
P
Furlan
Lorenzo
L
Guillemaud
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000235:genetics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005060:Europe; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007300:Insect Control; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009656:North America; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014481:United States; D003313:Zea mays