Development of 16 microsatellite markers for the European cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha

Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the European cockchafer, Melolontha melolontha L., based on enriched genomic libraries. Allelic variability was assessed in a collection of 30 individuals obtained from a field in eastern Switzerland. The number of detected alleles ranged from three to 13 with a mean of 6.69 and average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.52 and 0.66, respectively. The 16 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers represent a powerful molecular tool, which will allow for detailed population genetic analyses on this important pest insect.