Insulin-mediated nutrient partitioning in a non-model insect: The western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus

            Our understanding of insect physiology was pioneered through the use of model insects selected for their ease of use in the lab, body size, or importance to human activities. However, the continued improvement and reduced cost of high throughput genetic sequencing has opened opportunities for the physiological study of less explored insect species, facilitating techniques such as quantitative RT-PCR, and RNAi among others. Lygus hesperus, the western tarnished plant bug, is an agricultural pest of several crops and has a sequenced transcriptome. We took advantage of this resource to explore the dynamics of insulin-like peptides in this insect, particularly with regard to nutrient partitioning. Expression dynamics of L. hesperus ILPs and impacts on carbohydrate stores were explored. These explorations will set the foundation for examination of other neuropeptides in this system. Overall, the information gained from these studies will contribute to a long term goal of our lab to target neuropeptide receptors for new mode of action pesticides, sorely needed in response to insecticide resistance to insecticides currently in use.