author(s)
Manjunatha R, Shashidhar Viraktamath and Ganesha Halikatti

abstract
Leafhopper is one of the most serious pest of mango which may cause more than 50-60 per cent losses in cases of severe infestation. Molecular characterization of eleven different populations belonging to various mango growing regions of the country was done by using Cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene. Molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA, the leafhopper populations of COI gene sequences were confirmed as I. nitidulus, I. nagpurensis and A. atkinsoni. COI gene sequences of I. nitidulus of Raichur, Bramhavar and Hyderabad population showed 99 per cent similarity, A. atkinsoni of Dharwad and Shivamogga showed 99 per cent similarity and I. nagpurensis of Kerala showed 98 per cent similarity. Dendrogram of indicated all the populations belong to two major clades. Therefore, it is inferred that there was a considerable molecular diversity among the leafhopper populations of major mango growing areas. The maximum identity of I. nitidulus and I. nagpurensis showed 91 to 99 per cent indicating a higher genetic diversity in these two species and in A. atkinsoni the variation showed 97 to 99 per cent.