Molecular characterization of the Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on maize in southern Rajasthan, India

Abstract The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a polyphagous Lepidopteran pest, a native to tropical and sub-tropical America and recently it has invaded the African and Asian countries. Presently, the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) - gene based molecular characterization of FAW samples from the maize fields of southern Rajasthan has revealed the occurrence of corn and rice strains there. The occurrence of such S. frugiperda population of Rajasthan region could be traced its origin from the Florida-Caribbean region or African region. Further, the Tpi gene region analysis showed that the S.frugiperda forms found in the maize fields are only the corn strains. In the Indian Rajasthan populations of FAW, the Tpi-variant2 category is the highest one and is then followed by the Tpi-variant1 and Tpi-variant3 was unique with C and T at Tpie4192 and Tpie4198, respectively. Further research is needed towards the confirmation of these tentatively identified strains of S. frugiperda that would in turn helpful for the proper monitoring, host-plant identification and the effective management of such pests.