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Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Immunofluorescent Labeling of Plant Virus and Insect Vector Proteins in Hemipteran Guts
Published on: May 14, 2021
Application of Genomics for Understanding Plant Virus-Insect Vector Interactions and Insect Vector Control
Navneet Kaur1, Daniel K Hasegawa1, Kai-Shu Ling1
1First and fourth authors: USDA-ARS, Crop Improvement and Protection Research, Salinas, CA 93905; second author: USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29414; Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853; and third author: USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC 29414.
Genomic technologies reveal molecular mechanisms of plant virus transmission by insect vectors like whiteflies and thrips. This advances understanding and enables novel genetic strategies for managing insect vectors and viruses.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Entomology
- Genomics
Background:
- Plant virus-vector interactions are ancient but recently studied at the molecular level.
- Next-generation sequencing and omics technologies revolutionize virus-vector interaction studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review plant virus and insect vector interactions, focusing on whitefly and thrips.
- To explore genomics-driven applications for insect vector control.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies utilizing genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
- Analysis of gene expression in vectors feeding on virus-infected plants.
Main Results:
- Genomic technologies provide insights into insect vector responses to ingested viruses.
- Studies on begomoviruses, criniviruses, and tospoviruses reveal diverse virus-vector interactions.
- Gene expression analysis highlights altered pathways in vectors.
Conclusions:
- Genomics significantly advances understanding of virus transmission by insect vectors.
- Novel genetic strategies for managing insect vectors and transmitted viruses are emerging.
