Population genetics is the study of genetic constitution of Population across space and over time. Population genetics plays a pivotal role in characterizing dispersal behavior of insects and provides important clues to questions in the field of insect behavior and ecology. Understanding dispersal behavior of insects is of important issue not only for academic interests but also for application purposes including management and eradication. Dispersal is one of major evolutionary forces that can influence genetic variation of population. Dispersal is mostly driving genetic homogenization of diverging populations. Moreover, understanding dispersal pattern and capacity of insects is a key component for designing effective management and resistance management strategies of many insect pests since dispersal ability determines the spread rate of disease and resistance gene. The capability of predicting insect movement therefore is an essential component of agricultural production management systems. Here I introduce application of population genetics to insect dispersal study with the case studies of three agricultural insect pests, cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), Western con rootworms (Diabrotica vergifera) and European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). These insects all are invasive and major pests of crops of U.S.A during the last ~100 years.

• Kyung Seok Kim(BK Program for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University)