Multiple Allelic Variation in a Sodium Channel Gene from Populations of Australian Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Detected via Temperature Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera, the cotton bollworm; is a significant pest of Australian field and vegetable crops and has a widespread incidence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides. Naturally occurring variation in the para sodium channel gene was assayed in H. armigera. the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify part of the gene and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) used to detect differences in the melting properties of the amplified DNA fragments. A gene fragment of approximately 890 bp was characterised in a total of 66 individuals, comprising four sample groups: untreated controls and fenvalerate‐treated individuals from both the Namoi valley, NSW and the St. George irrigation area, Qld. At least sixteen alleles were detected for the 3′‐end, 250 bp, Hpall digest fragment of the amplified part of the gene. the Namoi and St. George allele distributions were significantly heterogeneous, making this locus a suitable marker for use, with others, in migratory studies among H. armigera populations. Since this gene is a candidate for pyrethroid resistance in the related American pest Heliothis virescens (F.) we looked for a difference in allele distributions between insecticide treated and untreated groups. No association between molecular variation in this gene and fenvalerate resistance was detected.