DNA barcoding of Immature stages of sitophilus oryzae and sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I

Stored pests such as rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae and maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are economically important stored pests. Their morphological identification is complex, especially identifying their life stages is challenging. This study investigated mtCOI barcode sequences to facilitate molecular identification of their life stages. Genomic DNA extracts were prepared from eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of S. oryzae and S. zeamais. Amplification of the barcoding region was successful from all life stages. All sequences were identified as S. oryzae and S. zeamais with 99.95% confidence using the Barcoding of Life Database (BOLD). This study highlights the utility of barcoding for the identification of species at all life stages.