Abstract
The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important agriculture pest in China that causes serious economic losses in some of the main crop-producing areas. To monitor and manage this pest effectively, it is necessary to investigate its phylogeographic patterns in China. In this study, we used a partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA Cytb gene consisting of 724 bps to investigate the genetic diversity of the beet armyworm. A total of 765 individuals from 47 populations across the main distribution range of the species were collected, and 112 haplotypes were identified. Moderate-to-high levels of genetic diversity (Hd = 0.672 ± 0.017, Pi = 0.00268 ± 0.00021) for the total populations were obtained. Phylogenetic and median-joining network analyses indicated there was no distinct geographic distribution pattern among haplotypes. Overall, the study also revealed significant differentiation among some populations (P 0.05) indicated recent population expansion of S. exigua at large spatial scales in China.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
