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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378048
Research Project: Integrated Pest Management of Flies of Veterinary Importance

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit

Title: Genomic analyses of a livestock pest, the New World screwworm, find potential targets for genetic control programs

Author
item SCOTT, MAXWELL - North Carolina State University
item BENOIT, JOSHUA - University Of Cincinnati
item DAVIS, REBECCA - North Carolina State University
item BAILEY, SAMUEL - University Of Cincinnati
item VARGA, VIRAG - University Of Cincinnati
item MARTINSON, ELLEN - University Of New Mexico
item HICKNER, PAUL - University Of Kentucky
item SYED, ZAINULABEUDDIN - University Of Kentucky
item CARDOSA, GISELE - University Of São Paulo
item TORRES, TATIANA - University Of São Paulo
item WEIRAUCH, MATTHEW - Children'S Hospital - Cincinnati, Ohio
item SCHOLL, ELIZABETH - North Carolina State University
item PHILLIPPY, ADAM - National Human Genome Research Institute
item SAGEL, AGUSTIN - US Department Of State
item VASQUEZ, MARIO - US Department Of State
item QUINTERO, GLADYS - US Department Of State
item SKODA, STEVEN - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Communications Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/14/2020
Publication Date: 8/4/2020
Citation: Scott, M.J., Benoit, J.B., Davis, R.J., Bailey, S.T., Varga, V., Martinson, E.O., Hickner, P.V., Syed, Z., Cardosa, G.A., Torres, T.T., Weirauch, M.T., Scholl, E.H., Phillippy, A.M., Sagel, A., Vasquez, M., Quintero, G.R., Skoda, S.R. 2021. Genomic analyses of a livestock pest, the New World screwworm, find potential targets for genetic control programs. Communications Biology. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01152-4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01152-4

Interpretive Summary: The New World Screwworm fly is a major pest of livestock in South America and Caribbean, where female flies lay their eggs on livestock near wounds and exposed mucous membranes. The eggs hatch and the larvae (screwworms) invade the living tissue to obtain the necessary nutrition for development. Control of screwworm fly is achieved using the sterile insect technique (SIT) whereby millions of flies are produced, sterilized and released each week near the border separating Panama and Columbia. Here, we sequenced and annotated the genome of the New World screwworm fly to identify potential targets for genetic control, including chemosensory genes and genes associated with sex determination. This study provides a framework for future experiments aimed at understanding the parasitic lifestyle of the screwworm fly and the development of strains for gene drive systems.

Technical Abstract: The New World Screwworm fly, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a major pest of livestock in South America and Caribbean. However, few genomic resources have been available for this species. A genome of 534 Mb was assembled from long read PacBio DNA sequencing of DNA from a highly inbred strain. Analysis of molecular evolution identified 40 genes that are likely under positive selection. Developmental RNA-seq analysis identified specific genes associated with each stage. We identify and analyze the expression of genes that are likely important for host-seeking behavior (chemosensory), development of larvae in open wounds in warm-blooded animals (heat shock protein, immune response) and for building transgenic strains for genetic control programs including gene drive (sex determination, germline). This study will underpin future experiments aimed at understanding the parasitic lifestyle of the screwworm fly and greatly facilitate future development of strains for efficient systems for genetic control of screwworm.