Abstract:

In this paper, population genetic variability and genetic structure of five sub-populations of Dendrolimus punctatus tabulaeformis (Lepidoptera:Lasiocampidae) were analyzed by using microsatellite markers. Eight microsatellite loci were used to detecte genetic structure of five sub-populations of D. punctatus tabulaeformis. The fragments lengths were from 78 bp to 430 bp. For each locus, 1-6 alleles were amplified. We found the genetic variability level was relatively high in all five sub-populations, as shown by P=87.50%, A=3.125 0, He=0.474 7, Ds=0.070 3－0.419 7, Fst=0.215 9, Nm=0.908 1. In this study, the expected heterozygosity (He) values showed that the genetic diversity of the subpopulation in pure Pinus tabulaeformis forest was higher than that of other sub-populations. According to the heredity parameters, gene flow was low and genetic drift was one of primary factors to lead to the genetic differentiation among five sub-populations of D. punctatus tabulaeformis. Overall, population genetic subdivision is high and the differentiations are also significant among sub-populations. The differences would probably be induced by local selection pressure of the insecticide treatments and the pure host food.

Key words: Dendrolimus punctatus tabulaeformis, sub-populations, genetic structure, microsatellite markers