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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 #155288
Title: Aphid biology: Expressed genes from alate Toxoptera citricida, the brown citrus aphid

Author
item Hunter, Wayne
item Dang, Phat
item Bausher, Michael
item Chaparro, Jose
item McKendree Jr, William
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item McKenzie, Cindy
item SINISTERRA, XIOMARA - UNIV. OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2003
Publication Date: 7/31/2003
Citation: Hunter, W.B., Dang, P.M., Bausher, M.G., Chaparro, J.X., McKendree Jr, W.L., Shatters, R.G., McKenzie, C.L., Sinisterra, X. 2003. Aphid biology: Expressed genes from alate Toxoptera citricida, the brown citrus aphid. Journal of Insect Science. 3:23-30. Available: http://www.insectscience.org/3.23.

Interpretive Summary: This dataset is the first to provide identification of genes or the Brown citrus aphid, BrCA, which is an important insect vector of citrus tristeza virus. Currently, there is no known cure for this plant disease. The BrCA is a serious economic threat to the citrus industry, CTV infected trees have a reduced yield, and some forms of the virus cause tree death. Understanding the genes, which control BrCA biology, development, and reproduction, are key to the development of new, environmentally friendly, and sound management strategies. Using a system to identify genes in insects, scientist have isolated, identified, can start to understand which genes are functioning in the BrCA. These genes are then compiled into a database for use by scientist around the world to facilitate a more rapid understanding of BrCA biology, so that new insect management strategies and tools can rapidly be developed. Management strategies developed in this manner can also provide great insights on how to control other aphid pests. The BrCA database will help scientists understand the molecular basis of aphid growth, development, and address many fundamental questions concerning BrCA biology, and disease.

Technical Abstract: First dataset of cDNA library for genes isolated from the brown citrus aphid, BrCA, Toxoptera citricida (Say). The BrCA is considered the main vector of citrus tristeza virus, an economically important disease of citrus. Scientist at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Ft. Pierce, Florida, used expressed sequence tags (ESTs), to scan for, and tag active genes within alate aphids, which is the aphid stage, which disperses and spreads Citrus tristeza virus. The BrCA cDNA library has provided important information to allow scientist to address important scientific questions related to aphid biology. This information will rapidly advance research on these insects. This database will also act as a direct model for hundreds of thousands of closely related aphid species. Databases such as these help scientists to identify genes critical to aphid biology, to understand the molecular basis of aphid growth and development, and to address fundamental questions concerning BrCA, cell biology and pathology, thus providing a driving force for the development of new methods of pest management.