First record of Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal 1834 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Norfolk Island

Abstract

The first records of Sitona discoideus and Trifolium repens on Norfolk Island are reported. The identities of both species were confirmed using morphological criteria and nucleotide sequences. Sequence data from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 of the Norfolk Island S. discoideus specimens were compared with 33 specimens from Australia, New Zealand and France. These data represent the first published sequences for S. discoideus, and suggest that Australia or New Zealand was the source of Norfolk Island's population. The implications of the introduction of S. discoideus to Norfolk Island are discussed.