Identification of vitellogenin in Bactericera cockerelli

‘Candidatus Liberibacter spp’ transmitted by psyllids have emerged as major plant pathogenic bacteria that are threatening the production of several crops worldwide. Presently, there is not resistance against psyllids or Liberibacter bacterium in any crop system. Therefore, the efforts to control the diseases associated with Liberibacter depend on the use of chemicals to control the vector populations. The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is a phloem-feeding insect and is a native species from southern USA, northern Mexico, but today it is commonly found in western, central and northwestern USA, Mexico, Central America and New Zealand. The recent classification of psyllids among the most dangerous vectors has promoted their study, but still many biological processes such as reproduction and vitellogenesis need to be investigated. In order to understand the vitellogenesis process, first we identified a B. cockerelli vitellogenin gene that we called BcVg1-like and analyzed its relative expression and protein abundance in virgin and mated females. Second, we determined the effects of insect hormone applications in virgin and mated females to elucidate the hormonal control of BcVg1-like expression. Overall our results represent the first step towards understanding psyllid reproduction. The knowledge generated in this study will help improve integrated pest management to control psyllid populations.