Monday, December 10, 2007 - 10:29 AM
0276

Helicoverpa zea: Population genetics, molecular markers, and their utilization in migratory studies

Satya Vemula, satyaauro@yahoo.com, Michael Caprio, mcaprio@entomology.msstate.edu, John Schneider, jschneider@entomology.msstate.edu, and Fred Musser, fmusser@entomology.msstate.edu. Mississippi State University, Entomology and Plant Pathology, 103 Clay Lyle, Box 9775, Mississippi State, MS

Helicoverpa Zea: Population genetics, molecular markers, and their utilization in migratory studies.

Population genetic structure of field collected adult moths of Helicoverpa zea was investigated using novel markers to comprehend the temporal and spatial variation in genetic structure. Emphasis was laid on understanding the migratory behavior of adults moths collected over the season (2005-2007) from Northern Mississippi. Genetic markers used in this study included Inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), Simple sequence repeats (SSR), and Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP). Polymorphism at different loci was utilized in estimating the temporal and spatial differentiation of the adult populations. Studies helped in identifying the best marker among the three studied. High gene flow and high genetic identity among the populations indicated a very low heterogeneity and population subdivision. The populations showed varying degree of polymorphism. Low gene diversity and low genetic distances confirmed the population movement and rapid mixing over the season.



Species 1: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Helicoverpa zea (cotton bollworm, corn earworm)