Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research
Project Number: 2034-22000-015-001-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2021
End Date: Jun 30, 2024
Objective:
Mealybug pests are one of the serious pests of winegrapes listed as a priority for research by the California Department of Food and Agriculture board. The goal of this project is to develop resources aimed at identification, tracking, and control of vine mealybugs in California wine grape production. The following objectives will use genomic technologies to characterize vine mealybug populations in California regarding pest movement and insecticide resistance and develop control methods based on genomic targets.
1. Develop genomic resources for vine mealybug (genome sequences from several representative populations in California).
2. Develop genetic markers to track mealybug populations in California which can be linked to traits such as insecticide resistance.
Approach:
To generate high-quality reference genomes representing the diversity of vine mealybug in California, DNA will be extracted from 5-10 distinct insect populations and sequenced using next generation sequencing platforms available at UC Davis. Once reference genomes have been created molecular markers will be identified that can differentiate between vine mealybug populations in California. These markers will be used to track populations exhibiting traits of importance in vine mealybug control such as insecticide resistance.
