DNA barcoding and morphological data reveal a wider distribution of Cinara palaestinensis and Cinara pinimaritimae (Hemiptera: Lachninae) in Uzbekistan, Central Asia

This study reports the first records of two alien aphid species—Cinara palaestinensis Hille Ris Lambers, 1948 and Cinara pinimaritimae (Dufour, 1833)—from the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. The aphids were collected from ornamental pines (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana and P. nigra) during field surveys conducted in 2022. Species identification was achieved through an integrative approach combining detailed morphological examination and DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene. Morphological features of both species matched descriptions in existing taxonomic literature, and molecular analyses confirmed their identities, revealing 99.2–100% sequence similarity with reference samples from the Mediterranean region. The presence of these aphids suggests ongoing biological invasions facilitated by the introduction of exotic host plants in urban and agroforestry settings. This study expands our knowledge of regional aphid diversity and provides a foundation for future monitoring of adventive insect species in Central Asia.

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