2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Evaluate virus infection as potential biological control agents against leafhoppers and psyllids, Homalodisca vitripennis and Diaphorina citri. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Infect leafhoppers and psyllids, by feeding or injections and monitor survival, female fecundity, and virus titers using PCR methods. 3.Progress Report This project is related to Objective 2b: Identify new viral pathogens of psyllids and sharpshooter species, and evaluate the potential of these as managment strategies. Leafhopper cell cultures were infected with two viruses, both single stranded ribonucleic acid - interference (ssRNA) viruses occur within the same virus family: Dicistroviridae, with one virus from leafhoppers and the second virus from ants. Leafhopper cell cultures were a good system for virus infection and propagation. Methods to reduce costs of virus propagation in cell culture were developed and reduced medium costs by 20 percent. Progress was monitored by bimonthly phone conferences and emails, as needed.