ARS | Publication request: EXPANDING THE GENETIC TARGETS FOR SHARPSHOOTER CONTROL: GENETIC DATASETS FOR SHARPSHOOTERS THAT TRANSMIT PIERCE'S DISEASE

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., Tipping, C., Mizell, R. 2003. Expanding the genetic targets for sharpshooter control: Genetic datasets for sharpshooters that transmit Pierce's Disease. CDFA Pierce's Disease Control Program Research Symposium.

Technical Abstract: Leafhoppers are the second most important plant disease vectors in agriculture. With growing emphasis on leafhopper transmitted diseases such as Pierce's Disease of grapes, Almond Scorch, and Citrus Variegated Chlorosis our understanding of leafhopper biology needs to be expanded. The leafhopper Oncometopia nigricans, another vector of the plant pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa, was used to create a new genetic dataset to aid identification of genes and proteins important to leafhopper development, and survival. Approximately 5,000 genes were identified. The rapid ability to identify genes and proteins in insect systems, such as in leafhoppers, will enable researchers to focus in on critical aspects of leafhopper development and survival. With this new understanding novel methods of pest management are to be developed.