Technical Abstract: The glassy-winged sharpshooter, GWSS, Homalodisca coagulata, is the primary cause for the spread of Pierce's Disease of grapes. Identification of the complete gene, Elongation Factor -1 alpha, EF-1a,isolated from adult GWSS was determined using computational translation of the mRNA and the sequence comparisons of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences to other characterized EF-1a sequences in the NCBI database. EF-1a has been widely used in phylogenetic studies of many organisms since they are among the slowest evolving proteins known. The stasis of EF sequences emphasizes their importance in many different biological functions, being involved in translation they are commonly used to study cellular functions and may play a role in cellular transformation and apoptosis. New management practices to control the spread of GWSS to reduce the impact of Pierce's Disease targets the insects' most basic cellular functions to disrupt GWSS development, and survival. Identification of important genes and proteins within GWSS will permit the development of novel and powerful methods of insect management which will also have application in the control of other insect pests, and will aid national efforts to develop and promote the use of environmentally friendly, cost effective management practices.