Biotech Updates

Sequenced Genome of Arachnid Published

November 25, 2011

New opportunities to develop pest control and crop protection strategies against the spider mite are in the horizon through the efforts of an international team of scientists that have cracked the genome of the arachnid.

Spider mites can cause enormous damage to crops that span ornamental plants to cultivated crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, corn, and soybean. They have shown resistance to different kinds of pesticides. The genome study will thus shed light on the mechanisms that allow spider mites to develop fast adaptation and resistance.

Details of The genome of Tetranychus urticae reveals herbivorous pest adaptations in available for subscribers of the journal Nature.  A feature article is at http://www.vib.be/en/news/Pages/Genetic-code-of-first-arachnid-cracked.aspx.