Identification and functional expression of CAPA receptor in spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)

Spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, is native to Asia, and feeds on a broad range of plant hosts, including apple, grape, and stone fruits. Since first detected in the United States in 2014, the fly has spread rapidly and has now been reported in 17 U.S. states. SLF is highly mobile and can lay eggs almost anywhere, and the economic burden of quarantine and inspection requirements on the nursery, timber and Christmas tree industries is significant. A variety of cultural and biological options are currently employed to manage the SLF population in the field. However, the use of chemicals has been the predominant method to date.
We are utilizing Receptor Interference (Receptor-i) technology—a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-based screening method for bioactive peptides—to develop biologically based and target-specific management strategies for SLF. As an initial step, we selected the CAPA (capability) system, which includes the CAPA neuropeptide and its corresponding GPCR, as the biological target in SLF. This study presents molecular data of their genes and functional expression of the CAPA GPCR using insect cells.
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