DNA polymorphism detection in Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae): potential use in stored product pest management

<p>Different pairs of oligonucleotide primers have been used for the detection of DNA polymorphism between Tribolium castaneum strains. Amplification of a major DNA fragment and two minor was observed in all strains tested excepted for one strain from France which present only two major bands (respectively at 800 bp and 880 bp). Arbitraily, th major band amplified from a DNA sample of the strain originating from the Philippines was choosen as probe (sequence of 487 bp in length). The combination of this probe and restriction enzymes permittes the discrimination between strains. our results show that RAP marker of Tribolium castaneum could be used to study its population genetics.</p>