Intra Species Diversity of Helicoverpa Armigera (hübner) (lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Relation to Geography and Host Plants Affiliation in Uttarakhand Himalayan Population, India

The gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is the insect pest of global agricultural importance due to its wide host range and cosmopolitan distribution, which is supported by a strong genetic base. This paper presents genetic diversity of the pest population feeding on different hosts (inter-host) and geographic locations (inter-location) in Uttarakhand Himalayas, India and their micro-evolutionary consequences. A total of 21 inter-host and 17 inter-location populations were studied using both nuclear (SSR markers i.e., 1 st tier) and mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b i.e., 2 nd tier). In case of inter-host populations, grouping was observed in relation to crop season ( Kharif and Rabi ), sequential growing of the crops and association of crops with weeds and concurrence of crop growth stages. Interestingly, in both the nuclear and mitogenome analysis, the wheat population stood separate as a major cluster, which might be due to its adaptation towards the crop in recent past in the region. Although there is a differential grouping in SSR and cyt b based clustering in inter-location populations, high altitude populations stand separate. The study illustrates ecological and evolutionary driven behavioural adaptations in H. armigera populations in Uttarakhand Himalayan population, India.