The complete mitogenomes of stem borers, Calameuta filiformis and Cl. idolon, are sequenced and characterised.
A rearrangement in IQM gene cluster and a length expansion in rrnS gene are suggested as synapomorphies for Cephini.
A remarkable length increase is also observed in their A + T rich region.
Characterisation of the A + T-rich region reveals the presence of the tRNA- and rRNA-like sequences and tandem repeats.
Short tandem repeats are suggested replication fork barrier in insects for the first time.