Expression of host-specific Lysyloxidase double-stranded RNA in Metarhizhium anisopliae enhanced virulence against the rice pest Sogatella furcifera.

Background: Entomopathogenic fungi show great potential as biological control agents for managing insect pests. However, host defenses have limited the effectiveness of these fungi in practice. Utilizing genetic engineering-based technology could be a promising strategy to enhance the killing efficiency of these fungi against insect pests.

Fungi and Insect Interactions: Pathogenicity, Immune Defenses and Biocontrol.

Insects are the largest animal group in nature, with significant effects on ecology, human health, and indigenous flora and fauna [...

The Susceptibility of Two Strains on Rice Pests and .

Entomopathogenic fungi represent a valuable natural resource with significant potential as biological agents for pest management. However, different species or strains of fungi demonstrate varying effectiveness against specific targets. In this study, we assessed the impact of two fungal strains, KN801 and KN802, on the rice planthoppers and , in combination with insecticides.

The symbiont Acinetobacter baumannii enhances the insect host resistance to entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae.

Major symbiotic organisms have evolved to establish beneficial relationships with hosts. However, understanding the interactions between symbionts and insect hosts, particularly for their roles in defense against pathogens, is still limited. In a previous study, we proposed that the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae can infect the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, a harmful pest for rice crops.

A virus induces alterations in root morphology while exerting minimal effects on the rhizosphere and endosphere microorganisms in rice.

The highly destructive southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) causes significant losses in rice production. To understand its impact on rice root, we studied fibrous root development and root microbiota variation (rhizosphere and endosphere) after SRBSDV infection. SRBSDV infection reduced the number and length of fibrous roots in rice.

The Entomopathogenic Fungus Affects Feeding Preference of and Its Potential Targets' Identification.

The rice planthopper is a unique vector of the (SRBSDV). The feeding behavior of should directly affect the diffusion of this virus. In this study, we noted that the infection of CQMa421 on disturbed the feeding behavior of this pest to SRBSDV-infected rice, from preference to non-preference.

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of microRNAs during Challenge with the Entomopathogenic Fungus .

The resistance of the notorious rice pest to many insecticides has caused significant concerns. Our previous study demonstrated that the fungus CQMa421 shows great potential for the control of this pest, but the interactions between them are still unclear. Thus, we further investigated fungal infection-related microRNAs (miRNAs) in during CQMa421 challenge using Illumina sequencing.

Suppression of Rice Planthopper Populations by the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium without Affecting the Rice Microbiota.

Entomopathogenic fungi can regulate insect populations and function as crucial biological control agents against insect pests, but their impacts on nontarget microorganisms are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the potential of the fungal strain CQMa421 to control rice planthoppers under field conditions and its effects on rice microbiota. This fungus suppressed rice planthoppers during this period, and its control efficiency was more than 60% 7 days after application and did not significantly differ from that of the chemical treatment except in 2019.

Transcriptomic Analysis of the Brown Planthopper, at Different Stages after Challenge.

is one of the major pests of rice and results in substantial yield loss every year. Our previous study found that the entomopathogenic fungus showed effective potential for controlling this pest. However, the mechanisms underlying infection of are not well known.

Effects of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on the Mortality and Immune Response of Locusta migratoria.

Entomopathogenic fungi are the key regulators of insect populations and some of them are important biological agents used in integrated pest management strategies. Compared with their ability to become resistant to insecticides, insect pests do not easily become resistant to the infection by entomopathogenic fungi. In this study, we evaluated the mortality and immune response of the serious crop pest after exposure to a new entomopathogenic fungus strain, CQMa421.

Evaluation of a cuticle protein gene as a potential RNAi target in aphids.

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) has potential as a pest insect control technique. One possible RNAi target is the cuticle protein, which is important in insect molting and development. As an example, here we evaluate the possibility of designing double-stranded RNA (RNA) that is effective for silencing the cuticle protein 19 gene (CP19) in aphids but is harmless to non-target predator insects.

RNAi-knockdown of the Locusta migratoria nuclear export factor protein results in insect mortality and alterations in gut microbiome.

Background: The migratory locust Locusta migratoria is one of the most important agricultural pests worldwide. The nuclear export factor 1 (NXF1) protein plays a crucial role in mediating mRNA transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This study evaluates whether NXF1 could be a potential target for RNAi-mediated pest control of L.

An artificial diet containing plant pollen for the mealybug predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Background: The specialist predatory ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is an effective natural enemy of mealybugs and plays a key role in the biological control of these pests. However, its mass production is complicated by the dependence on parallel cultures of mealybugs or the need for Ephestia kuehniella eggs as an expensive factitious prey.

Results: Here we developed a pollen-based artificial food for the predator to lower its dependence on natural prey.

Larval nutrition-induced plasticity affects reproduction and gene expression of the ladybeetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Background: Organisms may develop into multiple phenotypes under different nutritional environments by developmental plasticity, whereas the potential costs and mechanisms of such plasticity are poorly understood. Here we examined the fitness and gene expression of nutrition-induced phenotypes in the ladybeetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri after having experienced varying larval food regimes.

Results: We found that C.

Transcriptome responses to heat- and cold-stress in ladybirds (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulasnt) analyzed by deep-sequencing.

Background: Changed temperature not only threaten agricultural production, but they also affect individual biological behavior, population and community of many insects, and consequently reduce the stability of our ecosystem. Insect's ability to respond to temperature stress evolved through a complex adaptive process, thus resulting in varied temperature tolerance among different insects. Both high and low extreme temperatures are detrimental to insect development since they constitute an important abiotic stress capable of inducing abnormal biological responses.

Physiological effects of compensatory growth during the larval stage of the ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

The growth rate of insects may vary in response to shifty environments. They may achieve compensatory growth after a period of food restriction followed by ad libitum food, which may further affect the reproductive performance and lifespan of the resulting phenotypes. However, little is known about the physiological mechanisms associated with such growth acceleration in insects.

Nutrition-dependent phenotypes affect sexual selection in a ladybird.

Environmental factors play a crucial role in influencing sexual selection in insects and the evolution of their mating systems. Although it has been reported that sexual selection in insects may change in response to varying environments, the reason for these changes remains poorly understood. Here, we focus on the mate selection process of a ladybird, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, when experiencing low- and high-nutrition diet regimes both in its larval and adult stages.

Effects of transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton on non-target mealybug pest Ferrisia virgata and its predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Recently, several invasive mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) have rapidly spread to Asia and have become a serious threat to the production of cotton including transgenic cotton. Thus far, studies have mainly focused on the effects of mealybugs on non-transgenic cotton, without fully considering their effects on transgenic cotton and trophic interactions. Therefore, investigating the potential effects of mealybugs on transgenic cotton and their key natural enemies is vitally important.

Next-generation sequencing-based transcriptome analysis of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri under insecticide stress reveals resistance-relevant genes in ladybirds.

As the most efficient natural enemy of mealybugs, the ladybird Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant plays an important role in integrated pest management. We report here a profiling analysis of C. montrouzieri under insecticide stress to gain a deeper view of insecticide resistance in ladybirds.