DECIPHERING THE ROLE OF THE CIRCADIAN CLOCK IN THE APHID PEST, RHOPALOSIPHUM PADI: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

The first major goal of this project is to understand the diurnal and circadian transcriptome of the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi by performing RNA sequencing in both diurnal and constant light regimes on both plants and artificial diets. This project will uncover what transcripts show rhythmicity in the absence of environmental cues,which are thus directly regulated by the master circadian clock.The second major goal of this project is to understand how diurnal and circadian rhythms influence behaviors in R. padi. From locomotion to honeydew, to feeding behaviors. This project will utilize the Noldus suite of video tracking software and behavioral chambers as well as honeydew clocks to get a good picture of how the behavior of R. padi changes across the course of a 24h day in varying light regimes. Again, behavioral patterns that are consistent in the absence of environmental cues are thus directly regulated by the master circadian clock.The final major goal of this project is to directly correlate the master circadian clock with both the aphid transcriptome and aphid behavioral rhythms. This project will entail selectively silencing master circadian clock genes in the aphid using a nanoparticle facilitated RNAi approach followed by monitoring the previously studied transcriptome and behavioral rhythms. If silencing of clock genes causes a significant disruption in rhythms compared the control; then there will be good evidence that the transcriptome and behavioral rhythms are directly tied to the master circadian clock in the aphid brain.The final goal of this project is to understand how we can use the inherent properties of aphid rhythmicity and their master clocks to provide updated or novel sustainable pest management strategies.