Characterization of the swede midge, , first instar larval salivary gland transcriptome.

Proteins in saliva of gall-forming insect larvae govern insect-host plant interactions. , the swede midge, is a pest of brassicaceous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli) and canola. We examined the salivary gland (SG) transcriptome of first instar larvae reared on and catalogued genes encoding secreted proteins that may contribute to the initial stages of larval establishment, the synthesis of plant growth hormones, extra-oral digestion and evasion of host defenses. A significant portion of the secreted proteins with unknown functions were unique to and were often members of larger gene families organized in genomic clusters with conservation patterns suggesting that they are undergoing selection.