The codling moth, Cydia pomonella is an important cosmopolitan fruit pest. This species has a wide host range, and forms various ecotypes or populations to adapt newly invaded habitats, thus causing serious economic losses to fruit production every year. The research progresses of C. pomonella genetic diversity in China and other counties were reviewed in the current paper. The previous research showed that some factors including host plants, geographic isolation and insecticide application could affect the population genetics of C. pomonella. Geographic isolation was one of the major factors which caused genetic differentiation of the pest, whilst other factors including host plant distribution, climate, flight capacity and anthropogentic measures could also influence the extent of genetic differentiation. C. pomonella populations from the northwestern vs. northeastern China have different level of genetic diversity, and show genetic differentiation. The further research need to be done to analyze the major factors that influence the population genetics of the codling moth in China, and to clarify the genetic differentiation, invasion origins, distribution routes of the pest, which will be important for slowing down the spread and help the development of integrated control of the pest in China.