Oxygen stress on age-stage, two-sex life tables and transcriptomic response of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella).

Elucidating the genetic basis of local adaption is one of the important tasks in evolutionary biology. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has the highest biodiversity for an extreme environment worldwide, and provides an ideal natural laboratory to study adaptive evolution. The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is one of the most devastating pests of the global Brassica industry.

Functional Characterization of Two RNA Methyltransferase Genes and Uncovers the Roles of mA in Mediating Adaptation of to Host Plants.

-methyladenosine (mA) is one of the major epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes. Although increasing functions of mA have been identified in insects, its role in L. for host plant adaptation remains unclear.

Vitelline Membrane Protein 26 Mutagenesis, Using CRISPR/Cas9, Results in Egg Collapse in .

Vitelline membrane proteins (VMPs) are the main proteins that form the inner shell (vitelline membrane layer) of insect eggs and are an integral part of egg formation and embryo development. Here, we characterized the molecular structure and expression patterns of the gene and analyzed its reproductive functions in diamondback moth, (L.), a worldwide migratory pest of cruciferous plants.

Fitness comparison of on original and marginal hosts using age-stage, two-sex life tables.

The diamondback moth, , is an important agricultural pest that severely damages cruciferous vegetables. Although previously considered a threat only to species, has been observed to feed on noncruciferous vegetables. Here, we established a population of on the pea (PxP population).

Spatio-temporal distribution patterns of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in a fine-scale agricultural landscape based on geostatistical analysis.

A detailed knowledge on the spatial distribution of pests is crucial for predicting population outbreaks or developing control strategies and sustainable management plans. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous crops worldwide. Despite the abundant research on the species's ecology, little is known about the spatio-temporal pattern of P.

Differential Profiles of Gut Microbiota and Metabolites Associated with Host Shift of .

Evolutionary and ecological forces are important factors that shape gut microbial profiles in hosts, which can help insects adapt to different environments through modulating their metabolites. However, little is known about how gut microbes and metabolites are altered when lepidopteran pest species switch hosts. In the present study, using 16S-rDNA sequencing and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, we analyzed the gut microbiota and metabolites of three populations of : one feeding on radish (PxR) and two feeding on peas (PxP; with PxP-1 and PxP-17 being the first and 17th generations after host shift from radish to peas, respectively).

Mechanism and consequences for avoidance of superparasitism in the solitary parasitoid Cotesia vestalis.

A parasitoid's decision to reject or accept a potential host is fundamental to its fitness. Superparasitism, in which more than one egg of a given parasitoid species can deposit in a single host, is usually considered sub-optimal in systems where the host is able to support the development of only a single parasitoid. It follows that selection pressure may drive the capacity for parasitoids to recognize parasitized hosts, especially if there is a fitness cost of superparasitism.

CRISPR/Cas9-induced vitellogenin knockout lead to incomplete embryonic development in Plutella xylostella.

Vitellogenin (Vg) is important for insect egg maturation and embryo development. In the present study, we characterized the molecular structure and expression profile of Vg gene, and analyzed its reproductive functions in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a destructive pest of cruciferous crops, using CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Identification and characterization of odorant binding proteins in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are a group of soluble proteins functioning as odorant carriers in insect antennae, mouth parts and other chemosensory organs. However, multiple insect OBPs have been detected in other tissues and various functions have been proposed. Therefore, a detailed expression profile including stages, tissues and sexes where OBPs are expressed will assist in building the links to their potential functions, enhancing the functional studies of insect OBPs.

Predation Pressure in Tea () Plantations in Southeastern China Measured by the Sentinel Prey Method.

Tea () is an important food product with thousands of years of human use. Being a non-washable food, no pesticide residues are allowed, which increases the importance of natural means of plant protection. Predation, a component of natural pest control, is an important contributor to this, but its level and sustainability are not known in most of the areas of tea production.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Vitellogenin Receptor Knockout Leads to Functional Deficiency in the Reproductive Development of .

The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) belongs to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene superfamily and plays an indispensable role in Vg transport, yolk deposition, and oocyte development. For this reason, it has become a promising target for pest control. The involvement of in Vg transport and reproductive functions remains unclear in diamondback moths, (L.

Mass spectrometry imaging: An emerging technology for the analysis of metabolites in insects.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) can visualize the composition, abundance, and spatial distribution of molecules in tissues or cells, which has been widely used in the research of life science. Insects, especially the agricultural pests, have received a great deal of interests from the scientists in biodiversity and food security. This review introduces the major characteristics of MSI, summarizes its application to the investigation of insect endogenous metabolites, exogenous metabolites, and the spatiotemporal changes of metabolites between insects and plants, and discusses its shortfalls and perspectives.

Host Plant-Derived miRNAs Potentially Modulate the Development of a Cosmopolitan Insect Pest, .

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been reported to be involved in the cross-kingdom regulation of specific cellular and physiological processes in animals. However, little of this phenomenon is known for the communication between host plant and insect herbivore. In this study, the plant-derived miRNAs in the hemolymph of a cruciferous specialist were identified by small RNAs sequencing.

Identification of Halloween Genes and RNA Interference-Mediated Functional Characterization of a Halloween Gene in .

Ecdysteroids play an essential role in controlling insect development and reproduction. Their pathway is regulated by a group of enzymes called Halloween gene proteins. The relationship between the Halloween genes and ecdysteroid synthesis has yet to be clearly understood in diamondback moth, (L.

The impact of cover crops on the predatory mite Anystis baccarum (Acari, Anystidae) and the leafhopper pest Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in a tea plantation.

Background: Empoasca onukii, the tea green leafhopper, is a key pest of tea whose control often requires the extensive use of insecticides. As a predator of the tea green leafhopper, the mite Anystis baccarum is a potential biological control agent worldwide, though little is known about how intercropping cover crops can impact its suppressing effect on E. onukii.

Endophytic effects of Aspergillus oryzae on radish (Raphanus sativus) and its herbivore, Plutella xylostella.

We provide evidence that Aspergillus oryzae not only acts as an endophyte in Raphanus sativus, but also works as a plant growth promoter and provides some protection against its herbivore, Plutella xylostella affecting its feeding rate, mortality and fitness parameters, thereby contributing to the pest population suppression. Seed inoculation of radish seeds with the fungus Aspergillus oryzae allowed its establishment as an endophyte promoting plant growth and negatively affecting fitness parameters of its major herbivore, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Endophytic fungi may contribute to the growth of their host plants and enhance resistance to herbivores and diseases.

Transcriptome profiling of the Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) ovary reveals genes involved in oogenesis.

Background: As a specialized organ, the insect ovary performs valuable functions by ensuring fecundity and population survival. Oogenesis is the complex physiological process resulting in the production of mature eggs, which are involved in epigenetic programming, germ cell behavior, cell cycle regulation, etc. Identification of the genes involved in ovary development and oogenesis is critical to better understand the reproductive biology and screening for the potential molecular targets in Plutella xylostella, a worldwide destructive pest of economically major crops.

Cell lines from diamondback moth exhibiting differential susceptibility to baculovirus infection and expressing midgut genes.

Six new cell lines were established from embryonic tissues of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). The cell lines showed differential characteristics, including growth in attachment or in suspension, susceptibility to a baculovirus infection and expression of genes involved in the glucosinolate detoxification pathway in P.

Population characteristics of Macrocheles glaber (Acari: Macrochelidae) and Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae) reared on a mushroom fly Coboldia fuscipes (Diptera: Scatopsidae).

Subterranean predatory mites are important biological control agents of pests in soil. In order to understand the population characteristics of two predatory mites, Macrocheles glaber Müller and Stratiolaelaps scimitus Womersley, we studied their development, survival and fecundity data under laboratory conditions using Coboldia fuscipes Meigen as a food source and analyzed them with the age-stage, two-sex life table. Macrocheles glaber had a significantly shorter developmental time, oviposition period, longevity and lower fecundity than those of S.

Managing biological control services through multi-trophic trait interactions: review and guidelines for implementation at local and landscape scales.

Ecological studies are increasingly moving towards trait-based approaches, as the evidence mounts that functions, as opposed to taxonomy, drive ecosystem service delivery. Among ecosystem services, biological control has been somewhat overlooked in functional ecological studies. This is surprising given that, over recent decades, much of biological control research has been focused on identifying the multiple characteristics (traits) of species that influence trophic interactions.

Structure and expression of sulfatase and sulfatase modifying factor genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), uses sulfatases (SULF) to counteract the glucosinolate-myrosinase defensive system that cruciferous plants have evolved to deter insect feeding. Sulfatase activity is regulated by post-translational modification of a cysteine residue by sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1).

Parasitised caterpillars suffer reduced predation: potential implications for intra-guild predation.

Intra-guild predation (IGP) is an important phenomenon structuring ecological communities and affects the success of biological control. Here we show that parasitism by the koinobiont wasp Cotesia vestalis is associated with behavioural changes in its larval host (diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella) that reduce risk of IGP. Compared with unparasitised caterpillars, parasitised P.

Molecular characterisation of two α-esterase genes involving chlorpyrifos detoxification in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

Background: Carboxylesterases (CarEs) are involved in metabolic detoxification of dietary and environmental xenobiotics in insects. However, owing to the complexity of the protein family, the involvement of CarEs in insecticide metabolism in Plutella xylostella has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to characterise two CarE genes and assess their potential roles in response to chlorpyrifos in P.

Seasonal Variability in Spider Assemblages in Traditional and Transgenic Rice Fields.

The use of Bt transgenic rice (or Bt rice) remains controversial in several countries, including China. Risk assessments are a prerequisite to confirm the safety of Bt rice for ecosystems before a commercial release. This study was conducted to compare the responses of spider assemblages to Bt rice and nontransgenic rice.

Electroantennogram and behavioral responses of Cotesia plutellae to plant volatiles.

Plant volatiles have been demonstrated to play an important role in regulating the behavior of Cotesia plutellae, a major larval parasitoid of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, but little is currently known about the function of each volatile and their mixtures. We selected 13 volatiles of the DBM host plant, a cruciferous vegetable, to study the electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral responses of C. plutellae.