ARS | Publication request: Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite Loci from the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Submitted to: Molecular Ecology Resources
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: July 27, 2007
Publication Date: March 1, 2008
Citation: Kim, K.S., Coates, B.S., Hellmich II, R.L., Sumerford, D.V., Sappington, T.W. 2008. Isolation and Characterization of Microsatellite Loci from the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Molecular Ecology Resources. 8(2):409-411.

Interpretive Summary: The European corn borer is a major pest of corn in North America and Europe. Understanding movement patterns of adults of this insect is critical to designing effective strategies to prevent development of resistance to transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn. One of the best ways to characterize movement of an animal is to analyze changes in DNA markers within populations over time and space. One type of marker, called microsatellites, is very useful but hard to develop, especially in moths like the European corn borer. This study reports the development of five microsatellite markers that can be used for population studies of this insect in the future. The markers developed in this study will be used by ARS and university scientists in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and will facilitate the characterization of movement patterns of this pest.

Technical Abstract: The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), represents a major insect pest of corn in North America and Europe, and there is a growing need for molecular markers for population genetics studies. Obtaining useful microsatellites for population studies of O. nubilalis is very challenging, as it is with most Lepidoptera, and few are available for this purpose. An enrichment strategy was used to develop microsatellite markers for O. nubilalis, and over 500 positive clones were isolated. Seventy-five contained unique microsatellites and were selected for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification. Of these, seven were polymorphic with discernable PCR products. The seven loci were surveyed for variability in 72 wild individuals from central Iowa. Five of the loci showed no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions, and all loci were successfully cross amplified in the related Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis. These loci represent a significant addition to microsatellites appropriate for population studies of O. nubilalis.