Genetic Variability of Tobacco Caterpillar Spodoptera litura (F.) Infesting Groundnut

The genetic variability of Spodoptera litura populations in Andhra Pradesh was assessed during 2017–18 at RARS, Lam with populations collected from Guntur, Prakasam, Krishna, Vizianagaram, and Chittoor districts. DNA extracted from larvae using the HiMedia DNA kit was amplified with RAPD markers. Of the 12 primers tested, four primers (OPA-3, OPA-4, OPC-5, and OPC-9) successfully amplified all populations. Total of 33 bands were generated, showing 65.9% polymorphism. Jaccard similarity coefficients ranged from 0.61–1.00. The lowest similarity was observed between the Guntur and Vizianagaram populations and between Chittoor and Vizianagaram populations. The highest similarity was between Prakasam and Vizianagaram, and between Krishna and Chittoor populations.