DNA Barcodes for Insects

DNA barcoding refers to the technique of sequencing a short fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, the “DNA barcode,” from a taxonomically unknown specimen and performing comparisons with a reference library of barcodes of known species origin to establish a species-level identification. The library barcodes gain their value due to an intimate association—through the vouchered specimens from where they came—with other data; particularly Linnaean names, collection localities, and morphology in the form of digital images. Consequently, this chapter details means of efficiently obtaining barcodes along two general streams: rapid barcode assembly to populate the library and retrieval of barcodes from highly prized specimens, but also emphasizes organization and collection of the barcode collaterals.