Prevalence of “R” strain and molecular diversity of fall army worm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in India Swamy H. M. Mahadeva1, Asokan R.1,*, Kalleshwaraswamy C. M.2, Sharanabasappa S.D.2, Prasad Y.G.3, Maruthi M. S.2, Shashank P.R.4, Devi Naorem Ibemu5, Surakasula Anusha6, Adarsha S.7, Srinivas A.7, Rao Srinivasa8, Vidyasekhar9, Raju M. Shali10, Reddy G. Shyam Sunder11, Nagesh S. N.12 1ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru, 560089 2Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural & Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, 577204 3ICAR-Agricultural Technology Applications Research Institute, Zone X, ICAR-Central Institute for Dryland Agriculture Campus, Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad, 500059 4Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012 5Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, 641003 6Horticultural Research Station, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, T. Venkupalem, Anakapalle, 531001 7Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Pandirimamidi, 533288 8ICAR-Central Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad, 500059 9Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-Central Institute for Dryland Agriculture Santhosh Nagar, Hyderabad, 500059 10Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, V.R. Gaudem, 534101, West Godavari 11Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tuniki, Medak, 502316 12College of Agriculture, Department of Biotechnology, Karekere, Hassan, 573225 *Corresponding author Email: asokaniihr@gmail.com
Online published on 23 October, 2018. Abstract The fall army worm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest native to Americas, and it has recently been observed invasive to India. The mtCOI based analysis of the populations of FAW from the Americas showed the prevalence of two strains viz. “R” (Rice) and “C” (Corn). Recent studies on FAW populations from Africa revealed the predominance of “R” strain that feed primarily on maize. To understand the prevalence of strain and molecular diversity of FAW in India, studies were made on the populations collected on maize, sweet corn, and sorghum from six states of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra). The results reveal that this is the first report of the occurrence of FAW from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. Further, mtCOI (5′) based sequence analyses revealed that these populations from India aligned with “R” strain with minimal genetic diversity exhibiting no host/location specific variations. FAW populations in India primarily feed on maize as observed in Africa with no incidence on rice yet. The present study suggests a possible invasion by single genetic stock of FAW in India which requires haplotype analysis. Top Keywords Spodoptera frugiperda, India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, mtCOI, “R” strain. Top |