Transcriptome analysis and identification of sex pheromone biosynthesis and transport related genes in Atrijuglans hetaohei (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea).

Atrijuglans hetaohei Yang (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) is one of the major pests that can seriously damage the walnut tree, leading to harvest loss. Sex pheromones regulate mating communication and reproduction in insects and provide targets for developing a novel pest control strategy. In this study, by transcriptomic sequencing and analysis of the female pheromone gland (PG) and male genitalia of A. hetaohei, we identified 92 putative genes, of which 7 desaturases (Dess), 8 fatty acyl reductases (FARs), 4 fatty acid synthetases (FASs), 2 aldehyde oxidases (AOXs), 4 acetyltransferases (ACTs), 1 chemosensory protein (CSP), and 2 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) were predominantly expressed in the female PG, while 5 Dess, 11 FARs, 7 FASs, 6 AOXs, 1 ACT, and 1 CSP showed more robust expression in the male genitalia. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis revealed that 7 Dess and 1 FAR were grouped with genes involved in pheromone synthesis in other Lepidoptera species. Thus, we proposed that these candidate genes are possibly involved in the sex pheromone biosynthetic pathway in A. hetaohei. Our findings will provide a solid genetic basis for further exploring the function of the tissue-biased genes and may be useful to screen potential targets for interfering chemical communication in A. hetaohei.

Biocidal efficacy of tutin and its influence on immune cells and expression of growth-blocking and neuroglian peptides in Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the major pests that can cause severe damage to grain crops. The development of low-toxicity and high-performance botanical insecticides is becoming the focus of new pesticide research to control M. separata. Tutin, a sesquiterpene lactone compound obtained from Coriaria sinica Maxim, a native Chinese poisonous plant, has antifeedant, absorption, and stomach poisoning against a variety of pests. To understand the toxic effect of tutin on M. separata larvae, we set out to determine their antifeedant, mortality, paralysis, weight change, and to examine the spreading of M. separata hemocytes under different concentrations of tutin treatment. Tissue distribution of the immune-associated gene growth-blocking peptide (GBP) and neuroglian peptide (Nrg) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR was carried out to determine the expression profiles of GBP and Nrg after different concentrations of tutin stimulation. Our results revealed that tutin exhibited significant antifeedant and insecticidal activities, paralysis, weight loss to M. separata. Besides, tutin significantly influenced on the morphology of hemocytes and enhanced the expression of GBP and Nrg in M. separata.