Melanaphis sacchari Genome sequencing and assembly

The goal of the study was to develop microsatellite markers for sugarcane aphid and endosymbiont detection. There is uncertainty if there are multiple biotypes in the U.S. or if all aphids are one biotype. Genotyping with 52 microsatellite markers indicated that the samples were all one biotype with the exception of a single sample collected from Sinton, TX which had the predominant biotype as well as another biotype. Genotyping of the aphid samples with 12 microsatellite markers from Buchera aphidicola, the obligate aphid symbiont, had nearly identical results. Thus the invasive sugarcane aphid is spreading in the U.S. as primarily one asexual clone.