Optimization of spray operation parameters of unmanned aerial vehicle confers adequate levels of control of fall armyworm ().

Introduction: The fall armyworm (FAW), , is a serious threat to maize production. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a promising method for controlling FAW outbreaks. Given that FAW larvae primarily feed inside the maize whorl, we hypothesized that the efficacy of insecticide application depends on droplet density and coverage rate on the upper maize canopy.

Characterization of a uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase gene associated with abamectin resistance in two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase (UGT) belongs to detoxification enzyme glycosylating lipophilic xenobiotic compounds in various living organisms. Tetranychus urticae is a notorious pest due to its significant threat to crop production and serious resistance problem worldwide. However, the function of UGT gene in contributing to pesticide resistance in T.

Potential influence of supplemental nutrients intake by adults on the development, fecundity, and population growth of Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) offspring.

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important pest in cowpea-growing areas of south China. To study control strategies, M. usitatus has been raised for multiple generations in the laboratory.

Mechanisms underlying the effects of cyanogenesis on development and reproduction of Tetranychus urticae: Insights from enzyme activity and gene expression aspects.

Cyanogenic plants can release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to defend against herbivory by hydrolyzing the cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) with its β-glucosidases (β-GLUs). Numerous studies have speculated this CNG-mediated toxicity by a plant-pest interaction manner. However, the specific toxic effect of HCN was not well-demonstrated because of the interference of other ingested metabolites.

Identification and functional analysis of odorant-binding proteins provide new control strategies for Apolygus lucorum.

The green bug Apolygus lucorum is a notorious pest that feeds on multiple crops, including fruit trees, vegetables, and cotton. The odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are considered to perform crucial roles in regulating A. lucorum behaviors such as mating and feeding.

The microRNAs in the antennae of Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae): Expression properties and targets prediction.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and contribute to numerous physiological processes. However, little is known about the functions of miRNAs in insect chemosensation. In this study, nine small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced from the antennae of nymphs, adult males, and adult females of Apolygus lucorum.

Functional Characterization of a Candidate Sex Pheromone Receptor AlinOR33 Involved in the Chemoreception of .

Sex pheromones are deemed to play a significant role in sexual communication of most insects. Although many sex pheromone components in mirid bugs have been identified, the roles of odorant receptors in sex pheromone perception in (Hemiptera: Miridae) remain unknown so far. Here, AlinOR33, a candidate sex pheromone receptor in was functionally characterized.

Host plants transfer induced regulation of the chemosensory genes repertoire in the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze).

The alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus, an economically important pest, has representative behavioral characteristics with host plants transfer. Olfactory system is essential for insects to perceive ever-changing chemical signals in the external environment, and chemosensory genes play crucial roles in signals reception and transduction. In this work, we compared the differences in chemosensory genes expression before and after host plants transfer by constructing 12 antennal transcriptomes of male and female bugs, respectively.

Broadly Tuned Odorant Receptor AlinOR59 Involved in Chemoreception of Floral Scent in .

Plant volatiles such as floral scent compounds play a crucial role in mediating insect host locating, mate search, and oviposition sites selection. The alfalfa plant bug, (Goeze), is a seriously polyphagous herbivore of alfalfa and cotton that has an obvious preference for flowering host plants. In this study, we focused on the role of an odorant receptor AlinOR59 in the perception of plant volatiles in .

Full-length transcriptome analysis of Phytolacca americana and its congener P. icosandra and gene expression normalization in three Phytolaccaceae species.

Background: Phytolaccaceae species in China are not only ornamental plants but also perennial herbs that are closely related to human health. However, both large-scale full-length cDNA sequencing and reference gene validation of Phytolaccaceae members are still lacking. Therefore, single-molecule real-time sequencing technology was employed to generate full-length transcriptome in invasive Phytolacca americana and non-invasive exotic P.

Engineering Nicotiana tabacum for the de novo biosynthesis of DMNT to regulate orientation behavior of the parasitoid wasps Microplitis mediator.

Background: (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT), one of the homoterpenes, is thought to contribute to plant indirect defense against insect herbivores. DMNT-enriched plants have great application potential to regulate insect behavior in the 'push & pull' strategy of pest management. However, de novo biosynthesis of DMNT in plants without a homoterpene metabolic pathway in their wild type is still not achieved, and the role of DMNT played in these plants and their interacted insects remains unclear.

Identification of Leg Chemosensory Genes and Sensilla in the .

(Hemiptera: Miridae), one of the main insect pests, causes severe damage in cotton and many other economic crops. As is well-known, legs play important roles in the chemoreception of insects. In this study, the putative chemosensory proteins in legs of involved in close or contact chemical communication of adult bugs were investigated using RNA transcriptome sequencing and qPCR methods.

Functional characterization of one sex pheromone receptor (AlucOR4) in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür).

Traps baited with female-produced sex pheromones have been very effective in the monitoring and management of mirid bugs in numerous field trials. However, none of the target odorant receptors for sex pheromone components in Apolygus lucorum have been identified. Here, we identified one candidate sex pheromone receptor, AlucOR4, from A.

Deorphanization of an odorant receptor revealed new bioactive components for green mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Background: The Apolygus lucorum is one of the most destructive insect pests in China with a wide range of host plants. Interaction of A. lucorum with surrounding environment heavily relies on chemical communication.

Mouthparts enriched odorant binding protein AfasOBP11 plays a role in the gustatory perception of Adelphocoris fasciaticollis.

Insect odorant binding proteins (OBPs), one of the most important groups of odor carriers, are believed to play essential roles in chemoreception. In the present study, we focused on AfasOBP11 in Adelphocoris fasciaticollis. Expression profiles showed that AfasOBP11 was mainly expressed in the mouthparts of A.

Identification and functional analysis of two P450 enzymes of Gossypium hirsutum involved in DMNT and TMTT biosynthesis.

The homoterpenes (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT) are major herbivore-induced plant volatiles that can attract predatory or parasitic arthropods to protect injured plants from herbivore attack. In this study, DMNT and TMTT were confirmed to be emitted from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants infested with chewing caterpillars or sucking bugs. Two CYP genes (GhCYP82L1 and GhCYP82L2) involved in homoterpene biosynthesis in G.

Identification and expression analysis of an olfactory receptor gene family in green plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür).

Olfactory receptors are believed to play a central role in insects host-seeking, mating, and ovipositing. On the basis of male and female antennal transcriptome of adult Apolygus lucorum, a total of 110 candidate A. lucorum odorant receptors (AlucOR) were identified in this study including five previously annotated AlucORs.

Transcriptomic and Expression Analysis of the Salivary Glands in White-Backed Planthoppers, Sogatella furcifera.

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth), is one of the serious rice pests because of its destructive feeding. The salivary glands of the WBPH play an important role in the feeding behaviour. Currently, however, very little is known about the salivary glands at the molecular level.

Reference Gene Selection and Evaluation for Gene Expression Studies Using qRT-PCR in the White-Backed Planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera, Delphacidae), is one of the most devastating rice pests. For a better control strategy, various genetic studies have been conducted using reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The appropriate application of qRT-PCR requires reliable endogenous controls; however, studies on this aspect of the white-backed planthopper are lacking.

Relation Between the Viral Load Accumulation of Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus and the Different Developmental Stages of Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

The white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horvath), is currently the only confirmed vector of Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), which causes severe rice production losses in China. In this study, an absolute quantification qPCR method was used to detect viral gene mRNA expression levels at different developmental stages of white-backed planthoppers fed SRBSDV-infected rice plants. A comparison of viral copy numbers of the SRBSDV S10 gene at the same developmental stage indicated that the white-backed planthopper had higher viral copy numbers when the virus was acquired at the earlier developmental stages.