Gene silencing in the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius

Philaenus spumarius is the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa (Xf), the causal agent of olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS) in Southern Italy. dsATP synthase beta (dsATP), dsLaccase (dsLacc), with dsGreen Fluorescent Protein (dsGFP) as control, were provided to spittlebug adults by microinjection or to nymphs fed on dsRNA-treated plant shoots. Treated insects were collected at different time points to monitor silencing efficiency over time.