GENETIC STRUCTURE OF TRIBOLIUM CASTANEUM POPULATIONS IN AND AROUND A GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY

Abstract

The presence and distribution of Tribolium castaneum outside of food storage facilities have the potential to be an important influence on the distribution of insects inside facilities. The distribution and dispersal distance of insects should also be considered when implementing integrated pest management (IPM) and monitoring programs. The present study aims to determine if the outdoor populations of T. castaneum are the source for infestation within the grain storage facility or if it is from grain that is transported into the facility for storage from elsewhere. Samples of T. castaneum were collected from a grain storage facility as well as various other locations in the vicinity. High-throughput genotyping of all samples were carried out by using species-specific microsatellites; the genetic differentiation, gene diversity per locus, extent of genetic inbreeding, and gene flow of the species were analyzed. FST values (Genetic differentiation) of the different populations indicate a moderate level of genetic differentiation between the populations chosen. This study reveals the level of genetic differentiation among Tribolium castaneum populations in the locale under consideration while providing evidence that populations do not have the same source of origin. The competence of external populations in influencing the internal populations implies the importance of this study for IPM and in understanding how to prevent reinfestation of grain storage facilities.