GLOBAL AGROVET RESEARCH CONFERENCE

19 December 2025

Molecular Identification of the Groundnut Leaf Miner Aproaerema modicella (syn. Bilobata subsecivella) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): A Key for Targeted and Accurate Control in Groundnut and Soya Bean

19 December 2025

The identity of the African groundnut leaf miner (GLM) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) remains uncertain. Early reports in Africa suggested an invasion of Aproaerema modicella species from Indo-Asia. Initial molecular study on mitochondrial DNA (COI) conducted in South Africa linked it to the Australian Aproaerema simplexella. Further mtDNA analyses of COII and cytb regions indicated that GLM populations from South Africa, India, Mozambique, and Australia are closely related, suggesting a single species. To clarify this, two nuclear DNA regions 28S rDNA and EF-1 ALPHA were sequenced from 44 South African specimens, four from Mozambique, and three each from India and Australia. Phylogenetic analyses (Maximum Parsimony and Neighbour Joining) showed 28S sequences clustered into a single group, while EF-1 ALPHA sequences revealed some structure, some Australian sequences (A. simplexella) formed a distinct clade, with others grouping with African and Indian GLM sequences. Pairwise genetic distances were 0.00% for 28S and 0.48–6.99% for EF-1 ALPHA. These results support mtDNA evidence that GLM populations across Africa, India, and Australia likely represent a single species, with the Australian population showing the greatest diversity. Accurate molecular identification of GLM is therefore critical, as developing effective pest management strategies for groundnut and soya bean depends on correct pest recognition. Future research should expand sampling, include additional DNA markers, and reassess taxonomy to further clarify GLM identity.

Authors- Makhosi N. Buthelezi, Desmond E. Conlong, Godfrey E. Zharare
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Wellington, South Africa.

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