Significant morphological similarities within or in between species of insects has made reliable taxonomic identification difficult. DNA barcoding has appeared to be a useful tool in resolving the issues related to the identification of taxonomically difficult insect species. The Northeastern region of India is one of the mega biodiversity hotspots in the World and the climatic conditions of the region are highly conducive for reproduction and multiplication of insects. The efforts were undertaken to study the biodiversity of insects and to develop molecular database by developing DNA barcodes of major insect pests of cole crops in mid hills of Meghalaya. Limited information is available on insect pests in cole crops ecosystem in mid –hills of Meghalaya. A total of 12 insect pests belonging to four insect orders viz., Lepidoptera (6), Coleoptera (2), Diptera (2), Hemiptera (2) were documented during the year 2014-2015. The insect species viz., P. brassicae, Spodopteralitura, Myzus persicae and Plutella xylostella were found to be a major pest in this region. The collected species were identified by established taxonomic keys, by taxonomists and/or molecular basis. DNA was successfully extracted from multiple specimens of 12 insect species and molecular assays were also undertaken for presence of Wolbachia infection. The Wolbachia infected specimens were discarded and not used for further analysis. | Development of DNA barcodes for major insect pest of cole crops in MID-HILLS of Meghalaya
