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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410620
Research Project: Development of Applied Management Systems for Diseases of Perennial Crops with Emphasis on Vector-Borne Pathogens of Grapevine and Citrus

Location: Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research

Title: Advancements in AC-DC electropenetrography accelerates application of EPG to all-new arthropod pests and research questions

Author
item Backus, Elaine

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2023
Publication Date: 2/1/2024
Citation: Backus, E.A. 2024. Advancements in AC-DC electropenetrography accelerates application of EPG to all-new arthropod pests and research questions. Presented talk at the 2024 International Conference on Electropenetrography (EPG). January 29-February 4, 2024, Lake Fred, Florida.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It was once very challenging to study the detailed stylet probing behaviors of piercing-sucking arthropods, especially vectors of pathogens (infecting either plants or animals). Their piercing mouthparts penetrate opaque host tissues, preventing direct, visual observation. The invention of electropenetrography (EPG) overcame this challenge over 60 years ago. Since the beginning, EPG has been used to study plant-pathogen transmission, primarily by tiny, plant-feeding vectors like aphids, psyllids, and whiteflies. The 3rd-generation, AC-DC electropenetrograph was designed to enlarge application of EPG, with flexible settings to optimize detection of any type of probing by any size of arthropod on any type of host plant or animal. These advances in EPG technology have opened new avenues to study large hemipterans like true bugs, large planthoppers, and sharpshooters, as well as all-new work with blood-feeders like mosquitoes and ticks, and new behaviors like oviposition. Opportunities now exist to study effects of many pest management tactics, such as chemical compounds and host resistance, on blood feeding underlying animal-pathogen transmission. The purpose of this talk is to launch presentations at the EPG Conference by reviewing basic principles of EPG Science and describe very new information, protocols, and software to accelerate application of EPG to previously unstudied systems and research questions. These new methods will widen the research applications for EPG and help both experienced and novice EPG users to innovate pest management solutions to new and/or invasive arthropod pests.