A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY SPECIFIC TO GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER EGG PROTEIN: A TOOL FOR PREDATOR GUT ANALYSIS AND EARLY DETECTION OF PEST INFESTATION

• Author(s): Costa, Heather; Daane, Kent; Hagler, James;
• Abstract: Effective control of glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), Homalodisca coagulata, will require an integrated pest management approach. A major component of true integrated pest management is the exploitation of the pests natural enemies, which, when utilized to their greatest potential, can increase the effectiveness of other control tactics. Unfortunately, very little information exists on GWSS natural enemies (Triapitsyn et al., 1998). This is especially true for their predaceous natural enemies. Evidence of predation of GWSS eggs has been observed in the field; however, the composition of the predator complex, and the relative impact of each predator on GWSS mortality are unknown. In the past, we have developed a library of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to the egg stage of Lygus hesperus, Pectinophora gossypiella, and Bemisia argentifolii (Hagler et al., 1991, 1993, 1994) for use in studying predation in the field (Hagler et al., 1992; Hagler & Naranjo, 1994a,b). MAbs provide an avenue to qualitatively assess the impact of predator species on populations of key insect pests; provide a quick, efficient, and cost effective technique for screening numerous predators in a conservation biological control program (Hagler & Naranjo, 1994a,b); and provide a method to compare the efficacy of in vitro-reared predators with that of their wild counterparts in an augmentative biological control program (Hagler & Naranjo, 1996). Attempts to monitor GWSS populations and their natural enemies in Southern California are complicated by the presence of a native species of sharpshooter, the smoke tree sharpshooter, Homalodisca lacerta. The eggs of this species are virtually indistinguishable from those of H. coagulata with the naked eye. Thus it is difficult to separate the relative rates of predation and parasitism of GWSS and smoke tree sharpshooter in areas where these two species overlap. The similarity also prohibits positive identification of GWSS eggs intercepted during quarantine inspections of plant shipments. A pestspecific MAb can be used to accurately identify pests that are difficult to differentiate by the naked eye (Greenstone 1995). A MAb specific to GWSS egg would be an invaluable tool for early monitoring of pest infestation and decision-making in pesticide application.
• Publication Date: Dec 2001
• Journal: 2001 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium