The objective of this work was to evaluate the molecular diversity, by AFLP markers, of six Spodoptera frugiperda populations collected in maize crops in different geographical regions of Brazil. DNA was extracted from fourth-instar larvae, and AFLP reactions were performed with seven oligonucleotide primer combinations. From the six studied S. frugiperda populations, a major group was identified, formed by three more genetically-related populations. The evaluated S. frugiperda populations show high genetic variability, with a maximum of 58% similarity.
biotype; genetic distance; fall armyworm; molecular markers.
