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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Research Project #439448
Research Project: New Technologies and Strategies for Managing Emerging Insect Pests and Insect Transmitted Pathogens of Potatoes

Location: Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Molecular ecology of host use and pathogen acquisition by an insect vector in potato crop fields Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wagstaff, C., Foutz, J.J., Cooper, W.R., Anderson, R.M., Crowder, D.W. 2026. Molecular ecology of host use and pathogen acquisition by an insect vector in potato crop fields. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 2026:11(00)1-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saag007.

Transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum from Lycium berlandieri to Capsicum annuum by Bactericera cockerelli Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Delgado-Luna, C., Cooper, W.R., Dominguez, A., Sanchez-Pena, S. 2026. Transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum from Lycium berlandieri to Capsicum annuum by Bactericera cockerelli. Florida Entomologist. 109;(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/flaent-2025-0036.

Potato-related research at USDA-ARS laboratories - (Trade Journal)
Horton, D.R., Angelella, G.M., Cooper, W.R., Navarre, D.A., Feldman, M.J., Swisher Grimm, K.D., Whitworth, J.L., Bamberg, J.B., Halterman, D.A., Mc Cue, K.F., Thomson, J.G., Clarke, C.R., Collins, P.J., Dogramaci, M., Busse, J.S., Wang, X., Heck, M.L., Swingle, B.M., Filiatrault, M.J., Stodghill, P., Puig, A.S., Munyaneza, J.E. 2026. Potato-related research at USDA-ARS laboratories. Potato Progress. https://www.nwpotatoresearch.com/potato-related-research-at-usda-ars-laboratories.

Assessing insecticide behavioral effects in aphids for virus transmission prevention Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
Angelella, G.M., Galindo-Schuller, J. 2025. Assessing insecticide behavioral effects in aphids for virus transmission prevention. American Journal of Potato Research. 102:519. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-10020-y.

Bactericera maculipennis (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” to species within the Convolvulaceae (Solanales) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cooper, W.R., Ohler, B., Wenninger, E.J., Dahan, J., Karasev, A.V., Jensen, A.S., Wohleb, C., Waters, T., Kenney, J.R., Mauck, K.E., Horton, D.R. 2025. Bactericera maculipennis (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” to species within the Convolvulaceae (Solanales). Environmental Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaf088.

Symbiont: New technology for pathogen control Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
Cooper, W.R., Pitino, M., Thomson, J.G., Heck, M.L. 2025. Symbiont: New technology for pathogen control. American Journal of Potato Research. 102:534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-10020-y.

Weeding them out: Identifying non-crop hosts and sources of infectious beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in the Columbia River Basin Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foutz, J.J., Wagstaff, C., Cooper, W.R., Swisher Grimm, K.D., Angelella, G.M., Wohleb, C., Waters, T., Oeller, L., Crowder, D.W. 2025. Weeding them out: Identifying non-crop hosts and sources of infectious beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in the Columbia River Basin. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 118(5):420-428. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saaf022.

Biological control in potato with the whirligig mite: prospects and challenges - (Trade Journal)
Ohler, B.J., Cooper, W.R., Horton, D.R., Waters, T.D. 2025. Biological control in potato with the whirligig mite: prospects and challenges. Potato Progress. 25(1):2025 https://www.nwpotatoresearch.com/consortium-info/potato-progress.

On-farm wildflower plantings generate opposing reproductive outcomes for solitary and bumble bee species Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Angelella, G.M., McCullough, C.T., O'Rourke, M.E. 2025. On-farm wildflower plantings generate opposing reproductive outcomes for solitary and bumble bee species. Environmental Entomology. 54(3):623-631. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvaf033.

Wolbachia infection modifies phloem feeding behavior but not plant virus transmission by a hemipteran host Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Angelella, G.M., Foutz, J.J., Galindo-Schuller, J. 2024. Wolbachia infection modifies phloem feeding behavior but not plant virus transmission by a hemipteran host. Journal of Insect Physiology. 160. Article 104746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2024.104746.

Bactericera cockerelli picorna-like virus and three new viruses found circulating in populations of potato/tomato psyllids (Bactericera cockerelli) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dahan, J., Orellana, G.E., Wald, K., Wenninger, E.J., Cooper, W.R., Karasev, A.V. 2024. Bactericera cockerelli picorna-like virus and three new viruses found circulating in populations of potato/tomato psyllids (Bactericera cockerelli). Viruses. 16(3). Article 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16030415.

Seasonal and lifecycle changes in behavior affect the trapping efficiency of an insect vector, Circulifer tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Foutz, J.J., Cooper, W.R., Swisher Grimm, K.D., Crowder, D. 2024. Seasonal and lifecycle changes in behavior affect the trapping efficiency of an insect vector, Circulifer tenellus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 117(3):199-205. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saae011.

The functional decline of tomato plants infected by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum: An RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chuan, J., Nie, J., Cooper, W.R., Chen, W., Hale, L., Li, X. 2024. The functional decline of tomato plants infected by Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum: An RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15. Article 1325254. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1325254.

Margaranthus solanaceus, a new weed host plant for Bactericera cockerelli and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum on the Gulf Coastal Plain of Northeastern Mexico Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Felix-Rocha, A.C., Delgado-Luna, C., Cooper, W.R., Villarreal-Quintanilla, J.A., Sanchez-Pena, S.R. 2024. Margaranthus solanaceus, a new weed host plant for Bactericera cockerelli and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum on the Gulf Coastal Plain of Northeastern Mexico. Southwestern Entomologist. 49(1):185-191. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.049.0115.

High-throughput molecular gut content analysis of aphids identifies plants relevant for potato virus Y epidemiology Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Pitt, W.J., Cooper, W.R., Pouchnik, D., Headrick, H.L., Nachappa, P. 2024. High-throughput molecular gut content analysis of aphids identifies plants relevant for potato virus Y epidemiology. Insect Science. 31;1489-1502. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13327.

Sub-optimal temperatures lead to altered expression of stress-related genes and increased ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ accumulation in potato psyllid Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fisher, T.W., Munyaneza, J.E., Brown, J.K. 2024. Sub-optimal temperatures lead to altered expression of stress-related genes and increased ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ accumulation in potato psyllid. Frontiers in Insect Science. 3.Article 1279365. https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2023.1279365.

Dietary history of click beetles and wireworms in the genus Limonius (Coleoptera: Elateridae) revealed by molecular gut content analysis Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Serrano, J.M., Cook, R.E., Headrick, H.L., Cooper, W.R. 2023. Dietary history of click beetles and wireworms in the genus Limonius (Coleoptera: Elateridae) revealed by molecular gut content analysis. Environmental Entomology. 53(1):173-179. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad114.

Physalis virginiana as a wild field host of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Delgado-Luna, C., Cooper, W.R., Villarreal-Quintanilla, J.A., Hernandez-Juarez, A., Sanchez-Pena, S.R. 2024. Physalis virginiana as a wild field host of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’. Plant Disease. 108(1):113-117. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-02-23-0350-RE.

Targeted RT-PCR based gut content analysis for potato psyllid predation in laboratory assays Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ohler, B.J., Reyes Corral, C.A., Cooper, W.R., Horton, D.R., Waters, T.D. 2023. Targeted RT-PCR based gut content analysis for potato psyllid predation in laboratory assays. American Journal of Potato Research. 100:371-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-023-09920-8.

Afidopyropen as a potential tool for potato leafroll virus management in post-neonicotinoid potato production Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Angelella, G.M., Waters, T.D. 2023. Afidopyropen as a potential tool for potato leafroll virus management in post-neonicotinoid potato production. Journal of Economic Entomology. 116(3):713-718. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toad042.

Acquisition and transmission of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” differs among Wolbachia-infected and uninfected haplotypes of Bactericera cockerelli Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cooper, W.R., Swisher Grimm, K.D., Angelella, G.M., Mustafa, T. 2023. Acquisition and transmission of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” differs among Wolbachia-infected and uninfected haplotypes of Bactericera cockerelli. Plant Disease. 107:2440-2445. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-22-2701-RE.

Potato purple top in the Columbia Basin: Beet leafhopper and BLTVA pathogen prevalence - (Trade Journal)
Swisher Grimm, K.D., Gorman, C., Crowder, D., Wohleb, C. 2023. Potato purple top in the Columbia Basin: Beet leafhopper and BLTVA pathogen prevalence. Potato Country USA. May-June 2023;6-7.

Association of two Bactericera species (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with native Lycium spp. (Solanales: Solanaceae) in the potato growing regions of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cooper, W.R., Esparza-Diaz, G., Wildung, M.R., Horton, D.R., Badillo-Vargas, I.E., Halbert, S.E. 2022. Association of two Bactericera species (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with native Lycium spp. (Solanales: Solanaceae) in the potato growing regions of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Environmental Entomology. 52(1):98-107. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvac109.

A comprehensive review of zebra chip disease in potato and its management through breeding for resistance/tolerance to 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' and its insect vector Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Prager, S., Cohen, A., Cooper, W.R., Novy, R.G., Rashed, A., Wenninger, E., Wallis, C.M. 2022. A comprehensive review of zebra chip disease in potato and its management through breeding for resistance/tolerance to 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' and its insect vector. Pest Management Science. 78:3731-3745. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6913.

Bacterial endosymbionts of Bactericera maculipennis and three mitochondrial haplotypes of B. cockerelli (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cooper, W.R., Horton, D.R., Swisher Grimm, K.D., Krey, K., Wildung, M.R. 2021. Bacterial endosymbionts of Bactericera maculipennis and three mitochondrial haplotypes of B. cockerelli (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae). Environmental Entomology. 51(1):94-107. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab133.

A new picorna-like virus identified in populations of the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dahan, J., Cooper, W.R., Munyaneza, J.E., Karasev, A.V. 2021. A new picorna-like virus identified in populations of the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli. Archives of Virology. 167:177-182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-021-05281-x.

Association of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with the perennial weed Physalis longifolia (Solanales: Solanaceae) in the potato-growing regions of western Idaho Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Reyes Corral, C., Cooper, W.R., Horton, D.R., Miliczky, E., Riebe, J., Waters, T., Wildung, M., Karasev, A. 2021. Association of Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with the perennial weed Physalis longifolia (Solanales: Solanaceae) in the potato-growing regions of western Idaho. Environmental Entomology. 50(6):1416-1424. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab076.

An open access resource portal for arthropod vectors and agri-cultural pathosystems: AgriVectors.org Reprint Icon - (Proceedings)
Saha, S., Cooper, W.R., Hunter, W.B., Muller, L.A. 2021. An open access resource portal for arthropod vectors and agri-cultural pathosystems: AgriVectors.org. Meeting Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECE-10576.

Matrimony Vine: Friend or Foe in the Battle Against Potato Psyllid - (Popular Publication)
Cooper, W.R., Horton, D.R., Wohleb, C.H., Jensen, A.S. 2021. Matrimony Vine: Friend or Foe in the Battle Against Potato Psyllid. Potato Progress. 21;3.

Stylet probing behavior of two Bactericera (Hemiptera:Psylloidea:Triozidae) species on host and nonhost plants Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mustafa, T., Horton, D.R., Cooper, W.R., Zack, R., Thinakaran, J., Karasev, A., Munyaneza, J.E. 2021. Stylet-probing behavior of two Bactericera species on host and non-host plants (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Triozidae). Environmental Entomology. 50(4):919-928. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvab031.