Salivary glands proteome of stink bugs

The invasive Halyomorpha halys Stål, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), and the native Nezara viridula L., the Southern Green Stink Bugs (SGSB), are widely distributed in Europe, even if the date of introduction and their diet differ. Saliva of Hemipteran pests plays an essential role in the interaction between insects and their host plants. Several aphid salivary proteomes have been identified and found to differ according to the species, while no comparative investigation between phytophagous stink bugs has been performed yet. Here we analyzed the salivary proteins from two bugs, BMSB and SGSB, using LC-MS/MS. A total of 238 and 305 proteins were identified from dissected salivary glands from BMSB and SGSB respectively. Among these, a large majority was found in both species. In comparison with salivary proteome from other Hemiptera, the most striking feature of the salivary gland proteomes from SGSB and BMSB is the similar protein functions patterns. Some of the proteins are speculated to be dependent of the feeding strategies, playing a significant role in plant-insect interactions. Our results provide a framework for future research to elucidate the molecular basis of differential impact of piercing-sucking insects on host plants.