In theory, the loss of sexual reproduction is expected to result in the accumulation of deleterious mutations. In aphids, two main types of life cycle, cyclic and obligate parthenogenesis, represent respectively "sexual" and "asexual" reproductive modes. We used the complete pea aphid genome and previously published expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from two other aphid species. In addition, we ob...

Rhopalosiphum padi virus (RhPV) (family Dicistroviridae; genus Cripavirus) is an icosahedral aphid virus with a 10kb positive-sense RNA genome. To study the molecular biology of RhPV, identification of a cell line that supports replication of the virus is essential. We screened nine cell lines derived from species within the Lepidoptera, Diptera and Hemiptera for susceptibility to RhPV followin...

Little is known about how adults of the corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott), and its congeners survive subfreezing temperatures at high elevations during the dry winter in Mexico. In the laboratory, duration of survival at -5 ~ was measured for four Mexican Dalbulus species: D. maidis, D. elimatus (Ball), D. gelbus DeLong and D. quinquenotatus DeLong & Nault; and a closely relat...

Intake of sugar-rich foods by adult parasitoids is crucial for their reproductive success. This is an aspect of parasitoid biology that warrants special attention in the biological control of pests. Facilitating access to suitable foods might help optimize the efficacy of parasitoids as biological control agents. In situations where nectar is not readily available, homopteran honeydew can be a ...