Genetic variation of Hessian fly populations from Manitoba Canada

The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is the second most important insect pest of wheat, next to the orange wheat blossom midge, on the Canadian Prairie Provinces and accounts for a loss of $15 million in grain production annually. To date, the primary focus of resistance breeding in Canada has been toward control of the orange wheat blossom midge; however, recent economic losses due to Hessian fly infestations have led to increased interest in protection of wheat from this pest. While genetic resistance is the most effective control method, the deployment of resistant cultivars in the United States has led to the development of pest genotypes that can overcome formerly resistant wheat within 5 to 10 years. Information on the genetic diversity and potential ability of Hessian fly populations in Canada to overcome resistance should be of value to researchers/breeders faced with the challenge of ensuring durable protection of wheat. In this study, we have used microsatellite markers to begin an initial analysis of population structure and genetic diversity in Hessian fly collections from three locations in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Results are providing initial insight into genetic diversity and possible differentiation in Hessian fly populations across the southern wheat production region of Manitoba.