An association between Dnmt1 and Wnt in the production of oocytes in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.

The function of DNA methylation in insects and the DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) genes that influence methylation remains uncertain. We used RNA interference to reduce the gene expression of Dnmt1 within the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae; Gennadius), a hemipteran species that relies on Dnmt1 for proper gametogenesis. We then used RNA-seq to test an a priori hypothesis that meiosis-related genetic pathways would be perturbed.

Gut bacteria of adult and larval Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) demonstrate community differences according to respective life stage and gut region.

The close association between bacteria and insect hosts has played an indispensable role in insect diversity and ecology. Thus, continued characterization of such insect-associated-microbial communities is imperative, especially those of saprophagous scarab beetles. The bacterial community of the digestive tract of adults and larvae of the cetoniine scarab species is characterized according to life stage, gut structure, and sex via high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

The role of Dmnt1 during spermatogenesis of the insect Oncopeltus fasciatus.

Background: The function of DNA methyltransferase genes of insects is a puzzle, because an association between gene expression and methylation is not universal for insects. If the genes normally involved in cytosine methylation are not influencing gene expression, what might be their role? We previously demonstrated that gametogenesis of Oncopeltus fasciatus is interrupted at meiosis following knockdown of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) and this is unrelated to changes in levels of cytosine methylation. Here, using transcriptomics, we tested the hypothesis that Dmnt1 is a part of the meiotic gene pathway.

The role of Dnmt1 in oocyte development.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a globally important crop pest that is difficult to manage through current commercially available methods. While RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising strategy for managing this pest, effective target genes remain unclear. We suggest DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) as a potential target gene due to its effect on fecundity in females in other taxa of insects.

The trade-off between investment in weapons and fertility is mediated through spermatogenesis in the leaf-footed cactus bug .

Males have the ability to compete for fertilizations through both precopulatory and postcopulatory intrasexual competition. Precopulatory competition has selected for large weapons and other adaptations to maximize access to females and mating opportunities, while postcopulatory competition has resulted in ejaculate adaptations to maximize fertilization success. Negative associations between these strategies support the hypothesis that there is a trade-off between success at pre- and postcopulatory mating success.

Whitefly Endosymbionts: Biology, Evolution, and Plant Virus Interactions.

Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are sap-feeding global agricultural pests. These piercing-sucking insects have coevolved with intracellular endosymbiotic bacteria that help to supplement their nutrient-poor plant sap diets with essential amino acids and carotenoids. These obligate, primary endosymbionts have been incorporated into specialized organs called bacteriomes where they sometimes coexist with facultative, secondary endosymbionts.

Debugging: Strategies and Considerations for Efficient RNAi-Mediated Control of the Whitefly .

The whitefly is a globally important pest that is difficult to control through insecticides, transgenic crops, and natural enemies. Post-transcriptional gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) has shown potential as a pest management strategy against . While genomic data and other resources are available to create highly effective customizable pest management strategies with RNAi, current applications do not capitalize on species-specific biology.