Tetranychus urticae Genome sequencing

The goal of this study was to use high-throughput sequencing to characterize genetic variants segregating in populations of the phytophagous (plant-feeding) mite herbivore Tetranychus urticae. Specifically, this species is known to rapidly evolve resistance to diverse pesticides of agricultural relevance, and the populations sequenced were selected to vary for resistance or susceptibility to three economically important acaricides (etoxazole, clofentezine, and hexythiazox). Down stream analyses using results from the sequencing of these resistant and susceptible populations resulted in the identification of an allele conferring resistance to these three compounds that are used globally to control mite populations.