Polymerase chain reaction primers for polymorphic microsatellite loci in the African armyworm,Spodoptera exempta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Eight pairs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers that amplify polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed for the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) to be used in the study of its population dynamics in sub‐Sahara Africa where the species is a major pest of cereals and rangeland. A magnetic beads based enrichment protocol was used; it appears that previously reported scarcity of microsatellites in Lepidoptera species does not apply to the African armyworm. All the loci showed significant heterozygote deficit; possibly because the samples were laboratory reared from limited stock. Four primer pairs successfully amplified single fragments of beet and fall armyworm DNA of comparable size to the African armyworm alleles.