Annotation of yellow genes in Diaphorina citri , the vector for Huanglongbing disease.

Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening disease, is caused by the bacterium Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). It is a serious threat to global citrus production. This bacterium is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, (Hemiptera). There are no effective treatments for Las. Therefore, one strategy is to manage the psyllid population. Manual annotation of the genome can identify and characterize gene families that could be novel targets for psyllid control. The gene family is an excellent target because genes, which have roles in melanization, are linked to development and immunity. Combined analysis of the genome with RNA-seq datasets, sequence homology, and phylogenetic trees were used to identify and annotate nine genes in the genome. Manual curation of genes in provided in-depth analysis of the family among hemipteran insects and provides new targets for molecular control of this psyllid pest. Manual annotation was done as part of a collaborative Citrus Greening community annotation project.