Abstract: 【Aim】 The objective of this research was to screen microsatellite loci which were available for population genetic research of the oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta in China. 【Methods】 The amplification stability and genetic polymorphism of 11 microsatellite loci previously reported in European populations of G. molesta and Cydia pomonella were characterized from 257 individuals from 12 geographic populations of China. The screened polymorphic microsatellite loci were then used for population genetic analysis of the G. molesta populations. 【Results】 The results showed that loci Gm01, Gm03, Gm04 and Cyd15 could not be amplified from the samples. Gm05 could be amplified from a low proportion of individuals. Gm07 could be stably amplified, but was weakly polymorphic. Loci Gm02, Gm06, Gm08, Gm09 and Gm10 showed high polymorphism and could be amplified stably. For the five polymorphic loci, the mean number of alleles (N_A) ranged from 7.417 to 12.500, the values of mean observed heterozygosity (H_o) and expected heterozygosity (H_e) were from 0.366 to 0.655 and from 0.642 to 0.846, respectively, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) was between 0.800 and 0.935. 【Conclusion】 We successfully selected five loci, i.e., Gm02, Gm06, Gm08, Gm09 and Gm10. High genetic diversity of G. molesta populations sampled in Shandong Province and Shaanxi Province was revealed by data from these five loci. These five loci can be used for further population genetics research of G. molesta populations from China.

Key words: Grapholita molesta, geographic population, microsatellite loci, amplification stability, genetic polymorphism, null allele