@article{oppert_chu_reyna_pinzi_adrianos_perkin_lorenzen_2019, title={Effects of targeting eye color in
            Tenebrio molitor
            through RNA interference of tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (
            vermilion
            ): Implications for insect farming}, volume={101}, ISSN={0739-4462 1520-6327}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/arch.21546}, DOI={10.1002/arch.21546}, abstractNote={AbstractThe gene vermilion encodes tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase, part of the ommochrome pathway, and is responsible for the dark pigmented eyes in some insects, including beetles. Using RNA interference, we targeted the vermilion gene ortholog in embryos and pupae of the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, resulting in larvae and adults, respectively, that lacked eye pigment. RNA‐Seq was used to analyze the impact of vermilion‐specific RNA interference on gene expression. There was a 425‐fold reduction in vermilion gene expression (p = 0.0003), as well as significant (p < 0.05) differential expression of 109 other putative genes, most of which were downregulated. Enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology terms found in the differentially expressed data set included genes known to be involved in the ommochrome pathway. However, enrichment analysis also revealed the influence of vermilion expression on genes involved in protein translocation to the endoplasmic reticulum, signal transduction, G‐protein‐coupled receptor signaling, cell‐cycle arrest, mannose biosynthesis, and vitamin transport. These data demonstrate that knockdown of vermilion in T. molitor results in complete loss of eye color (white‐eyed phenotype) and identify other interrelated genes in the vermilion metabolic pathway. Therefore, a dominant marker system based on eye color can be developed for the genetic manipulation of T. molitor to increase the value of mealworms as an alternative food source by decreasing negative traits, such as disease susceptibility, and increasing desired traits, such as protein content and vitamin production.}, number={1}, journal={Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Oppert, Brenda and Chu, Fu‐Chyun and Reyna, Steven and Pinzi, Sofia and Adrianos, Sherry and Perkin, Lindsey and Lorenzen, Marcé}, year={2019}, month={Mar}, pages={e21546} }
 @article{reyna_ekesi_setamou_2019, title={Morphometric Comparisons of Citrus Rust Mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), Populations in Texas and Kenya}, volume={44}, ISSN={["2162-2647"]}, DOI={10.3958/059.044.0306}, abstractNote={Abstract. 
 The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a serious pest of citrus worldwide, but is especially important in areas where citrus is produced for fresh markets. Kenya and Texas produce fruit for fresh markets; however, Texas fruit is marketed commercially and globally, while fruit in Kenya is sold locally. Development of an effective pest management program to control P. oleivora requires proper identification to species. However, diminutive size and lack of taxonomic characteristics make proper identification of P. oleivora difficult without the aid of a powerful microscope, and therefore cryptic species can occur. Cryptic species might occur in a citrus tree, grove, or variety, or geographical area, and different species might respond differently to insecticides that can severely impede management strategies. The purpose of this study was to use morphological characteristics to assess populations of P. oleivora in Texas and Kenya. Morphometrics is statistical analysis of characteristics or a combination of characteristics that can detect morphological variation. 300 P. oleivora individuals were collected; 90 individuals were collected from oranges (Citrus sinensis (Linnaeus)) and 60 from tangerines (Citrus tangerina (Tanaka)) in Kenya. In Texas, 90 individuals were collected from oranges and 60 individuals were collected from grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi (MacFadanyen)). Ten morphological traits and four biometric ratios were compared between each population using a pooled t-test. Principal component analysis was used to analyze the morphometric measurements and stepwise discriminant analysis was used to distinguish further any morphological trait that determined population grouping. Morphological compairsons revealed all to morphological traits and three out of 4 bioratios were significantly different from each population. Principal component 1 and principal component 2 represented 86% of morphological variation, and Kenyan and Texan populations were distinguished by relation to principal component 1. Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed three morphological traits that strongly contributed to differentiation between P. oleivora from Kenya and Texas: width of prodorsal shield (F = 97.18, P < 0.0001), tail end (F = 30.67, P < 0.0001), and body length (F = 29.64, P < 0.0001). Morphological differences could be due to differences in geography or complete or partial genetic separation.}, number={3}, journal={SOUTHWESTERN ENTOMOLOGIST}, author={Reyna, Steven M. and Ekesi, Sunday and Setamou, Mamoudou}, year={2019}, month={Sep}, pages={607–616} }
 @article{evans_mckenna_scully_cook_dainat_egekwu_grubbs_lopez_lorenzen_reyna_et al._2018, title={Genome of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), a worldwide parasite of social bee colonies, provides insights into detoxification and herbivory}, volume={7}, ISSN={2047-217X}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gigascience/giy138}, DOI={10.1093/gigascience/giy138}, abstractNote={Abstract Background The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida; ATUMI) is an invasive parasite of bee colonies. ATUMI feeds on both fruits and bee nest products, facilitating its spread and increasing its impact on honey bees and other pollinators. We have sequenced and annotated the ATUMI genome, providing the first genomic resources for this species and for the Nitidulidae, a beetle family that is closely related to the extraordinarily species-rich clade of beetles known as the Phytophaga. ATUMI thus provides a contrasting view as a neighbor for one of the most successful known animal groups. Results We present a robust genome assembly and a gene set possessing 97.5% of the core proteins known from the holometabolous insects. The ATUMI genome encodes fewer enzymes for plant digestion than the genomes of wood-feeding beetles but nonetheless shows signs of broad metabolic plasticity. Gustatory receptors are few in number compared to other beetles, especially receptors with known sensitivity (in other beetles) to bitter substances. In contrast, several gene families implicated in detoxification of insecticides and adaptation to diverse dietary resources show increased copy numbers. The presence and diversity of homologs involved in detoxification differ substantially from the bee hosts of ATUMI. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into the genomic basis for local adaption and invasiveness in ATUMI and a blueprint for control strategies that target this pest without harming their honey bee hosts. A minimal set of gustatory receptors is consistent with the observation that, once a host colony is invaded, food resources are predictable. Unique detoxification pathways and pathway members can help identify which treatments might control this species even in the presence of honey bees, which are notoriously sensitive to pesticides.}, number={12}, journal={GigaScience}, publisher={Oxford University Press (OUP)}, author={Evans, Jay D and McKenna, Duane and Scully, Erin and Cook, Steven C and Dainat, Benjamin and Egekwu, Noble and Grubbs, Nathaniel and Lopez, Dawn and Lorenzen, Marcé D and Reyna, Steven M and et al.}, year={2018}, month={Dec} }