Characterization of western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus, salivary glands

The western chinch bug, Blissus occiduus Barber, has emerged as an important pest of buffalograss. Previous studies have investigated the mouthparts and feeding behavior of this chinch bug, but no research to date has explored the morphology of its salivary glands or composition of its salivary secretions. In this introductory study, the salivary glands of adult and immature chinch bug were excised and visualized using scanning electron microscopy. A second component of this research involved documenting the constituent proteins associated with western chinch bug saliva through electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results of these studies are being analyzed and will be presented.