Project Number: 5442-22000-039-01
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 01, 2002
End Date: May 31, 2007

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to characterize the molecular genetic profile of Lygus species in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota and relate findings to the Lygus complex in the Great Plains and the rest of North America.

Approach:
Lygus adults and nymphs will be collected throughout the Great Plains and collections arranged from other parts of the country. The mitochondrial and nuclear DNA will be characterized to compare genetic diversity among populations on a specific crop to genetic diversity of populations between crops (e.g. sunflowers, sugar beets, canola, etc.). Phylogeographic genetic diversity will also be examined. DNA-based tools that can be used to identify immature stages of the different species will be developed.