PCR molecular identification of the fall armyworm in the Chontalpa region, Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

O Objective: To perform the first molecular characterization of the barcoding COI region of the S. frugiperda found in Tabasco and to test whether it can reliably identify the strain detected in the said state. Design/Methodology/Approach: We collected S. frugiperda specimens using four pheromone traps placed in corn plots. Subsequently, we implemented DNA extraction, PCR with LCO-L/HCO-L primers, and the sequencing of six individuals captured in the traps. Results: After aligning the sequences, we developed a phylogenetic tree, determining that S. frugiperda belongs to the rice strain (RS). Implications: Identifying the S. frugiperda strain is necessary for management purposes, since different strains may require different control methods. Findings/Conclusions: Our study revealed that the isolates from Chontalpa, Tabasco, Mexico, match the RS fall armyworm reported in other latitudes. Consequently, this is the first report to identify this strain of S. frugiperda in Tabasco. Our findings are relevant because this species can potentially become a pest in sugarcane- and rice-growing areas of the state.