Metagenomic analysis of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis)

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis, is a leafhopper endemic to regions in Texas. H. vitripennis is an agricultural pest known to carry Xylella fastidiosa fastidiosa, a bacterial pathogen known to cause Pierce’s disease in grapevine. The purpose of this study was to view population dynamics in H. vitripennis by looking at differences between the insect in different vineyards around Texas. A total of 264 insects were collected on sticky traps from 9 different vineyards around Texas from July-September 2007. Each of those samples was aged according red pigmentation in their wings. Foregut contents of each insect was vacuum extracted to detect which insects harbor the Pierce’s disease strain of X. fastidiosa using RT-PCR. Total DNA was extracted from all H. vitripennis samples. A total of 25 samples from 8 of the 9 vineyards collected were used for 16S sequencing (to determine differences in symbionts composition) and AFLP analysis (to determine genomic variations in the host). The aging data was compared with X. fastidiosa detection data to determine if age correlated with the ability to harbor X. fastidiosa. The AFLP data was used to determine distinct populations of H. vitripennis around the state and to track movement of specific genetic markers in the insects around the state. The 16S data gave data on bacterial flora present in each insect which was useful in comparison between vineyards, populations, age groups, and individuals of H. vitripennis. This is the first comprehensive analysis of population structure at the metagenomic level for the glassy-winged sharpshooter.