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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213854
Title: Proteins expressed in the blue-green sharpshooter, Graphocephala atropunctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Author
item Hunter, Wayne

Submitted to: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2007
Publication Date: 7/25/2007
Citation: Hunter, W.B. 2007. Proteins expressed in the blue-green sharpshooter, Graphocephala atropunctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Accession numbers: DQ445499-DQ445542.

Interpretive Summary: Forty-four proteins were identified and sequenced from adult blue-green sharpshooter leafhoppers, BGSS, Graphocephala atropunctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). The BGSS is endemic to California, and is an occasional vector of Pierce's disease in grapes. The genetic products produced by sequencing provide new genetic markers which can be used to monitor the predatory complex which feeds upon BGSS. Analysis of gut contents combined with biological control monitoring programs is advancing our understanding of how pest insects such as BGSS are being used as food or hosts by other insects. Molecular tools, such as genetic markers, allow researchers to visually detect which predators and/or parasitoids are using a target host species. By understanding this competition for use of two or more leafhopper species as food or hosts, researchers can design or select more specific beneficial insects to target these pest species. Since these are some of the first proteins identified from this leafhopper, these proteins sequences will also advance our understanding of the basic biology of these and other leafhoppers. The sequences were submitted and published under accession numbers: DQ445499-DQ445542, in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI, Public Database.

Technical Abstract: Molecular markers are playing a bigger role in biological control programs. We sequenced 44 cDNA’s from the blue-green sharpshooter, BGSS, Graphocephala atropunctata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) as a potential source for new marker development. The BGSS is a leafhopper which is endemic to California, and it is an occasional vector of the plant bacterial pathogen. Xylella fastidiosa which causes Pierce’s disease in grapes. The impact of introduced parasitoids or monitoring of native parasitoids and predators provides a strong indicator of how biological control agents may perform in the successful management of target insect pests. The BGSS is much smaller than the main vector of Pierce’s disease, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis. Many parasitoids are limited by the size of their host which is critical in the development of the larvae. Predators however may select prey more on abundance or opportunity. Genetic markers are needed to evaluate predatory species which are feeding on leafhoppers and their role in reducing specific species. Genetic markers are also being used to monitor and identify current and exotic introductions of leafhoppers across and into the U.S.A. The sequences were submitted and published under accession numbers: DQ445499-DQ445542, in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, NCBI, Public Database.