The genetic structure of geographic populations of Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in northern Iran based on mitochondrial COII gene

Rice is one of the most important and oldest crop and is one of the three leading crops in the world. Chilo suppressalis (Walker), rice striped stem borer, is a key insect pest damaging the rice crop up to 33 percent. Understanding genetic structure of the pest is essential for an effective pest management program and can corporate with control program. Aim of this stud was to determine the genetic structure of mitochondrial COII (mtDNA-COII) gene of the pest in north of Iran. Rice stem borer specimens were collected from rice fields in Guilan and Mazanderan provinces, at Caspian Sea coast at seasonal activity (spring) in 2016-2017. Genetic structure of 18 populations of the species was invesigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct-sequencing of mtDNA-COII gene. The obtained sequences were compared with each other and the available data in GenBank database. In total, 312 and 676 specimens were collected from Guilan and Mazanderan provinces respectively. Results showed that all specimens from two provinces are identical are like specimen from South Korea with GenBank ID MK207057.