RNAi knock-down of the Bemisia tabaci Toll gene (BtToll) increases mortality after challenge with destruxin A.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) is a well known invasive insect species. Little information is available on immune system of B. tabaci to date.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of serine protease inhibitor genes increases the mortality of Plutella xylostella challenged by destruxin A.

Destruxin A is a mycotoxin that is secreted by entomopathogenic fungi which has a broad-spectrum insecticidal effect. Previous transcript and protein profiling analysis showed that destruxin A has significant effects on the expression of serine protease inhibitor genes (serpin-2, 4, 5) in the larvae of Plutella xylostella. In the current study, we aimed to understand the role of serpins under application of destruxin A.