Entomology, Department of
Title
Genes, Gene Flow and Adaptation of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2009
Abstract
1 Diabrotica virgifera virgifera has emerged as a major pest of cultivated maize,
due to a combination of its high capacity to inflict economic damage, adaptability
to pest management techniques and invasiveness.
2 This review presents a survey of the current state of knowledge about the genetics
Of D. v. virgifera . In addition, the tools and resources currently available to
Diabrotica geneticists are identified, as are areas where knowledge is lacking and
research should be prioritized.
3 A substantial amount of information has been published concerning the molecular
phylogenetic relationships of D. v. virgifera to other chrysomelids.
4 There is a growing literature focused on the population genetics and evolution of
the species. Several adaptations to anthropogenic selection pressure have been
studied, with resistance to synthetic insecticides providing some particularly
well-characterized examples.
5 A notable deficiency is a lack of studies directed toward the formal genetics of
D. v. virgifera .
Download
Comments
Published in Agricultural and Forest Entomology11 (2009), pp. 47–60.