Genetic diversity and population structure of Helicoverpa gelotopoeon populations from Argentina inferred by mitochondrial DNA COI and CytB gene sequences

Abstract

The South American bollworm, Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar), is a member of the Heliothinae complex in Northwestern Argentina and one of the most important pests affecting soybean in the country. Currently, management of Heliothinae pest species is based on the use of insecticides and transgenic Bt crops. However, many species in the Heliothinae complex have developed resistance to these control tactics. In this regard, studies of population structure and genetic diversity studies in these agricultural insect pests are of great importance for the effective implementation of management strategies. Mitochondrial DNA is one of the types of molecular markers available for insect studies successfully employed for population genetic studies in Lepidoptera. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of five H. gelotopoeon populations collected from different regions and crops in Argentina using analysis of three mitochondrial DNA regions. Results of genetic variability and gene flow analyses among H. gelotopoeon populations indicated, in general, a certain genetic structure in studied populations. Possible causes for this genetic structure include differences among regions, host plants and year of sampling. Additional studies contemplating the impact of biological and ecological features are necessary in understanding the source of genetic structure in these H. gelotopoeon populations.