IDENTIFICATION OF 3 RANDOMLY AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION MARKERS FOR DISTINGUISHING ASIAN AND NORTH-AMERICAN GYPSY MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA, LYMANTRIIDAE)

Gypsy moths originating in Asia have recently been introduced into Nor th America, making it necessary to develop markers for distinguishing the Asian strain from the established North American population. We ha ve identified 3 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain re action generated (RAPD-PCR) markers which are specific for either Asia n or North American moths. The FS-2 and FS-3 markers are specific for the North American strain, and the FS-4 marker is specific for moths f rom Ear east Asia. The 3 RAPD-amplified fragments have been cloned and sequenced, and locus-specific primers have been developed for the FS- 3 marker. These markers, in combination with other markers already ava ilable, will be useful for increasing the accuracy of identification o f suspect moth specimens.