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.
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