An international research team led by the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University has completed the first genome sequence of the diamondback moth, one of the world's most important pests of cruciferous crops in the world.

In cooperation with the Beijing Genomics Institute and Cambridge University, the project aims to complete the whole genome sequencing of the insect to understand its genetic characteristics.

Damage caused by the insect has been recorded in every country growing cruciferous crops. The worldwide management of the moth is estimated to cost up to $4-5 billion each year.

Cruciferous vegetables include bok choy, cauliflower, cabbage, cress, broccoli and other green leaf vegetables.

The work is significant to allow researchers to unveil the molecular interaction between the insect and its host plants, and also open new ways to understand the mechanisms of insecticide resistance evolution and establish sustainable pest management.

The research paper was published as an Advance Online Publication in Nature Genetics on Jan 13.

sunli@chinadaily.com.cn