Biotechnology can take years off the development of disease-resistant corn varieties. ARS researchers have cloned a part of a well-known gene, glutamine synthetase, that targets expression of antifungal genes in the tip of the kernel. To resist infection with aflatoxin or fumonisins, a corn plant needs the action of antifungal genes targeted in the tip of the kernel, where aflatoxin and fumonisins gain entry during hot weather. These carcinogens may render a crop unfit for animal or human consumption. Resistant plants could be developed in less than a year, compared to the 7 years it takes to breed varieties with traditional methods. The work was funded by ARS and the Biotechnology Research and Development Consortium in Peoria, IL.

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria, IL
Michael Muhitch, (309) 681–6368, muhitchm@mail.ncaur.usda.gov

A lost South American tribe of insects may give scientists new clues for predicting the potential losses caused by leafhoppers, pests of many crops. The new information is of interest to researchers studying the relationships among leafhoppers to better predict their pest potential. It's also important to federal and state workers at ports of entry; they need to recognize species not indigenous to the United States. Each year, leafhoppers cause hundreds of millions of dollars of crop losses worldwide. More than 170 species of these pests transmit diseases to crops like rice, corn, celery, and cranberries. Now, an ARS scientist and Venezuelan colleague are describing a new genus and species (Jaita tachirensis) of leafhopper from the Andes mountains of Tachira, Venezuela. This is the first record of the tribe Megophthalmini in the New World south of Mexico. The tribe is a widespread group of uncertain origin. It may prove invaluable in constructing a classification that makes it possible to accurately predict biological traits of unstudied species from those of studied species that are closely related. This information is needed to effectively judge the pest potential of many leafhopper species. Construction of a predictive classification of leafhoppers is hampered by a major gap in knowledge of various groups, including the Megophthalminae. But the scientists have described how the lost tribe has affinities to other New World Megophthalminae, including the Chilean tribe, Evansiolini.

Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Washington, DC
Stuart H. McKamey, (202) 382–1779, smckamey@sel.barc.usda.gov