DNA barcoding reveals widespread occurrence of Leptidea juvernica (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in southern Finland

摘要

DNA barcoding was used to identify 54 specimens of butterfly genus Leptidea collected from various parts of southern Finland in 2011-2013. Results reveal the presence of both the widespread Leptidea sinapis and its cryptic congener L. juvernica from several locations throughout the southern Finland. Our sampling also reveals different habitat preferences between these species in Finland: specimens collected from open, disturbed habitats were mainly identified as L. juvernica, whereas specimens from forest habitats were all found to represent L. sinapis. A morphometric analysis revealed that L. juvernica and L. sinapis hardly differ by their fore wing shape, although males and females seem to differ from each other. Our attempts to DNA barcode selected museum specimens failed and we were not able to verify historical presence of L. juvernica in Finland. The recently increased observations of Leptidea butterflies in large numbers in unusually open habitats across the southern Finland together with our findings suggests ongoing rapid expansion of L. juvernica in Finland.