Abstract: By means of mRNA differential display PCR(DD-PCR), 56 cDNA fragments have been identified from the Helicoverpa armigeras brain that are expressed differentially between the diapausing pupae and the pupae of diapause termination by injecting 20-hydroxyecdysone. RT-PCR and Real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA levels of the FK506-binding protein 12(FKBP12)and two unknown genes were higher in the diapausing pupae, whereas the ecdysteroid-regulated 16 kDa protein(esr16), NADH dehydrogenase 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 6, and two unknown genes were higher in the pupae of diapause termination. These results provide new clues to researches on the molecular mechanism of diapause.

Key words: diapause, 20-hydroxyecdysone, differential display PCR, Helicoverpa armigera