Molecular taxonomy of the genus Physokermes (Hemiptera: Coccidae) species in Greece, based on mtDNA sequencing data

The genus Physokermes (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) includes species that parasitize coniferous trees. They are considered both as pests of forests and as highly beneficial species in Apiculture when bees produce honey with specific physicochemical characteristics, using the honeydew excreted by these scale insects. The identification of these important species is based only on morphological characteristics. Genetic taxonomy on these species is lacking, thus the aim of the present study is the molecular taxonomy and the examination of the possible phylogenetic relationships of the Physokermes species in Greece based on mtDNA sequencing data. The sampling of adult females was conducted in several mountain places of Greece. Based on the recent key to female Physokermes species, all specimens were found to be Physokermes hellenicus. The sequencing of COI mtDNA gene segment produced 14 different haplotypes. Our data, based on mtDNA analysis on samples that belong to Physokermes genus, collected from differ...