Jatropha gossypiifolia (Euphorbiaceae), a Source of Proteins Toxic to Phenacoccus herreni (Sternorryncha: Pseudococcidae)

The cassava mealybug Phenacoccus herreni (Sternorryncha: Pseudococcidae) is a pest of cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), in South America. Proteins, representing direct gene products, are prime candidates in genetic engineering manipulations for host plant resistance. Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae), a plant species known to contain proteins toxic to insects, exhibited insecticidal properties to P. herreni. The toxic compounds consisting of proteins around 101.02 kDa appeared to be mostly located in the mature leaves. Further studies are needed to identify the proteins and to ensure that they are not toxic to mammals.