Differences in Amplified Fragment-Length Polymorphisms in Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Host Strains

Amplified fragment-length polymorphic (AFLP) loci were examined in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), to assess their ability to distinguish 2 host-associated strains. Cluster analyses of variation at 10 AFLP loci amplified with 5 primer pairs revealed 2 groups. Each group contained a majority of individuals from 1 or the other host-associated strain as defined by habitat and mtDNA type. Discordance between habitat / mtDNA strain assignments and AFLPs occurred more frequently in the rice strain (8%) than in the corn strain (3%), and at a frequency of 5% overall. Results indicate that AFLPs exhibit strain-specific variation comparable to that of mtDNA and allozymes. In combination with other markers, AFLP loci will be useful for developing a system for identification of fall armyworm strains and hybrids.