Complete mitochondrial genome of Meganola major (Hampson, 1891) (Lepidoptera: Nolidae)

Abstract

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Meganola major (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) is reported for the first time. The circular genome is 15,237 bp with an A/T content of 81.32% and comprises 37 genes, consisting of 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs, along with the A + T-rich region. Most PCGs begin with ATN, whereas each cox1 and cox2 begins with CGA and GTG, respectively. Gene order matches the typical lepidopteran arrangement, and base composition falls within the range observed in other nolids. Phylogenetic analyses using a concatenated dataset of the 13 PCGs and two rRNAs recovered the following relationships: Nolinae as sister to Risobinae, Blenina as an independent lineage consistent with recognition of Bleninae, Meganola and Nola as reciprocally monophyletic groups, and M. major a sister to the M. albula and M. strigula group. The nodal supports for the sister relationship between Nolinae and Risobinae were lower, whereas other relationships were strongly supported. Considering M. major has recently emerged as a serious pest, damaging street-planted crepe myrtle in South Korea, current mitogenome sequences will be valuable for species identification, population genetic structure, and phylogeny at a diverse taxonomic hierarchy.