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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Crop Production and Pest Control Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #218874
Title: Comparison of gene expression in the salivary glands of three major insect pests of cereals

Author
item MITTAPALLI, OMPRAKASH - MAX PLANCH INST. GERMANY
item Shukle, Richard
item BENTUR, JAGADISH - RICE RESEARCH, INDIA
item NEAL, JOHATHAN - PURDUE UNIV.
item STUART, JEFFERY - PURDUE UNIV.
item Chen, Ming Shun
item WISE, IAN - AG &AG-FOOD, CANADA

Submitted to: Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2007
Publication Date: 12/12/2007
Citation: Mittapalli, O., Shukle, R.H., Bentur, J., Neal, J., Stuart, J., Chen, M., Wise, I. 2007. Comparison of gene expression in the salivary glands of three major insect pests of cereals. Annuals of the Entomological Society of America. Paper No. D0507.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Hessian fly, the wheat midge, and the rice gall midge are among the most important insect pests of cereals worldwide. Plant resistance is the most effective method of control; however, the use of resistant cultivars leads to the development of biotypes that can survive on formerly resistant cultivars. How these insects hijack their host plant’s development to feed and protect the larvae is unknown. However, it is believed salivary secretions from the larvae are the signals that cause abnormal plant growth in susceptible plants or elicit a defense response in resistant plants. We have created a database of genes expressed in the salivary glands of these insects. From this database we have been able to identify genes that are similar between the species and genes that are unique to each species. These results are allowing us to understand how these pests hijack a susceptible plant’s development as well as the signals a resistant plant recognizes to defend itself.