ARS | Publication request: IDENTIFYING GENETIC TARGETS FOR GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER CONTROL: AVAILABLE GENETIC DATASETS FOR THE GWSS

Submitted to: CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 10, 2003
Publication Date: December 10, 2003
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Dang, P.M. 2003. Identifying genetic targets for glassy-winged sharpshooter control: Available genetic datasets for the GWSS. CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium.

Technical Abstract: Understanding the genes which control leafhopper biology, development, and reproduction are key to the development of new, environmentally friendly, sound insect pest management programs. Using a system called expressed sequence tags, EST, scientists are able to isolate, identify, and 'tag' genes which are functioning in insects. These genes are then compiled into a database for use by the scientific community worldwide to facilitate a more rapid understanding of insect biology, so that new insect management strategies and tools can be developed. The group of insects within the Hemiptera referred to as Homopterans, contain the most serious disease spreading insect pests in agriculture (aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies). Scientist at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, Florida have initiated the 'Hemiptera Coalition' a project focused on the development of a system to rapidly analyze genes from these insect pests. A multinational effort to develop EST databases to address important scientific questions related to insect pests will rapidly advance research on these insects. These databases will also act as a direct model for hundreds of thousands of closely related insect species. Such a database will help scientists understand the molecular basis of insect growth and development, and address fundamental questions in insect physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, pathology, thus providing new methods of pest management.