Ultrastructural and transcriptional changes in response to dietary lectins in the Hessian fly larval midgut

The midgut is a major interface between phytophagous insects and their host plants. Here we report on ultrastructural and transcriptional changes in response to dietary lectins introduced into the host plant during the 1st instar in the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), larval midgut. Results support the hypothesis that the midgut is a critical target affected by these dietary lectins and suggest genes encoding lectins and other toxic proteins can confer genetically engineered resistance to complement native resistance in wheat to Hessian fly larval attack.