Observations of genetic differentiation between the fall armyworm host strains

The threat of invasive species is increasing with the expansion of global trade and habitat disruption. A recent example is the establishment of fall armyworm (FAW), a noctuid moth native to the Americas, into most of the Eastern Hemisphere with projections of significant economic losses on a global scale. The species has traditionally been subdivided into two populations that differ in their propensity to use different plant hosts, a phenotype with clear relevance for identifying crops at risk. However, inconsistencies in the genetic and phenotypic descriptions of these “host strains” has led to controversy about their composition and even existence. In this study, the locus for the Triosephosphate isomerase gene (Tpi) is used both as a host strain marker and for phylogenetic analysis. Association of the host choice phenotype with the Tpi-derived phylogenetic tree uncovered genetic differentiation between populations that supports the existence of the host strains and provided evidence that they are subject to different selection pressures. This correspondence of differential host use with Tpi was demonstrated for populations from a broad geographical range and supports the involvement of one or more Z-chromosome functions controlling the phenotype. Comparisons of collections from multiple locations identified significant differences in the efficacy of different molecular markers that implicate regional variations in host strain behavior.