Comparative transcriptomics reveals the conservation and divergence of reproductive genes across three sympatric Tomicus bark beetles.

Three tree-killing bark beetles belonging to the genus Tomicus, Tomicus yunnanensis, Tomicus brevipilosus and Tomicus minor (Coleoptera; Curculionidae, Scolytinae), are serious wood-borers with larvae feeding on the phloem tissues of Pinus yunnanensis. The three Tomicus beetles, in some cases, coexist in a same habitat, providing a best system for exploring the conservation and divergence of reproductive genes. Here, we applied comparative transcriptomics and molecular biology approaches to characterize reproductive-related genes in three sympatric Tomicus species.

Mating and post-copulation behavior in the tea leafhopper, (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae).

The tea leafhopper, , relies on substrate-borne vibrations for sexual communication and is mainly controlled with chemical pesticides, which poses risks to the environment and food safety. Based on previous studies, we conducted a series of behavioral assays by simultaneous observation of vibration signals and movement to investigate the mating and post-copulation behavior of tea leafhoppers. During mating, the activity of was restricted to dawn and dusk and concentrated on the sixth or seventh mature leaf below the tea bud.

Anatomical Comparison of Antennal Lobes in Two Sibling Moths: Emphasis on the Macroglomerular Complex.

and are two sibling moth species of tea plantations in China. The male antennae of both species can detect shared and specific sex pheromone components. Thus, the primary olfactory center, i.

Two carboxylesterase genes in Plutella xylostella associated with sex pheromones and plant volatiles degradation.

Background: Carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs) are thought to play a pivotal role in the degradation of sex pheromones and plant-derived odorants in insects, but their exact biochemistry and physiological functions remain unclear.

Results: In this study, two paralogous antennae-enriched CCEs from Plutella xylostella (PxylCCE16a and 16c) were identified and functionally characterized. High-purity protein preparations of active recombinant PxylCCE16a and 16c have been obtained from Sf9 insect cells by Ni affinity purification.

Identification and Expression Profile of Olfactory Receptor Genes Based on (Hope) Antennal Transcriptome.

Insects' olfactory receptor plays a central role in detecting chemosensory information from the environment. Odorant receptors (ORs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs) are two types of olfactory receptors, and they are essential for the recognition of ligands at peripheral neurons. (Hope) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is one of the most serious insect pests that cause damage to economic trees and landscaping trees, resulting in massive environmental damages and economic losses.

Foliage Intensity is an Important Cue of Habitat Location for .

For many herbivorous insects, vision is more important than olfaction in the prealighting stage of host habitat location. Tea leafhoppers, (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), are serious pests that preferentially inhabit the tender leaves of tea plants across China. Here, we investigated whether tea leafhoppers could distinguish foliage colors associated with different leaf ages and use this visual cue to guide suitable habitat location from short distances.

Geographical Distribution of Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and Ectropis obliqua in China and Description of an Efficient Identification Method.

Ectropis grisescens Warren 1894 (Lepidopotera: Geometridae) and Ectropis obliqua Prout 1915 (Lepidopotera: Geometridae) are the most destructive chewing pests in China's tea plantations. Ectropis grisescens sex pheromone lures and E. obliqua nucleopolyhedrosis virus (EoNPV) are two species-specific and effective bio-control technologies to control these pests.

[Jasmonates: From induced plant anti-herbivore defensive reaction to growth-defense tradeoffs].

Jasmonates (JAs), which can exogenously induce anti-herbivore defensive reaction in plants, are important in the field of plant physiology and plant protection. We summarized the ecological effects of exogenous JAs applied on 40 species of plants on various herbivores (such as Lepidoptera and Hemipteran) and their natural enemies in the past 20 years. We systematically genera-lized the research status about the direct and indirect antiherbivore defense induced by JAs, induced systemic defense, induction methods, induced performance in field, and the application status of JAs.

Distinct binding affinities of odorant-binding proteins from the natural predator Chrysoperla sinica suggest different strategies to hunt prey.

Chrysoperla sinica is an important natural predator of many notorious agricultural pests. Understanding its olfactory mechanism can help enhance the effectiveness of C. sinica in biological control.

Design of an Attractant for Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Based on the Volatile Components of Fresh Tea Leaves.

The tea leafhopper, Empoasca onukii Matsuda, is a serious pest of the tea plant. E. onukii prefers to inhabit vigorously growing tender tea leaves.

Chemosensory Gene Families in and Candidates for Detection of Type-II Sex Pheromones.

Tea grey geometrid (), a devastating chewing pest in tea plantations throughout China, produces Type-II pheromone components. Little is known about the genes encoding proteins involved in the perception of Type-II sex pheromone components. To investigate the olfaction genes involved in .

Molecular and Functional Characterization of Three Odorant-Binding Protein from Periplaneta americana.

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, is a vector of many pathogenic organisms associated with human diseases. Olfaction plays a crucial role in guiding cockroach behaviors and contributes to their ability to transmit pathogens. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs), abundant in the insect olfactory sensilla, are important for insect olfaction.

Identification and tissue expression profile of genes from three chemoreceptor families in an urban pest, Periplaneta americana.

Periplaneta americana is a notorious urban pest prevalent in human habitats; very little is known about its chemosensory mechanism. Employing the advanced next-generation sequencing technique, in the present study, we conducted transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the antennae of the adult males and females as well as their mouthparts using an Illumina platform. This resulted in the discovery of a huge number of the members of all major known chemosensory receptor families in P.

An antenna-biased carboxylesterase is specifically active to plant volatiles in Spodoptera exigua.

Odorant-degrading enzymes (ODEs) in sensillar lymph are proposed to play important roles in the maintenance of the sensitivity of the olfactory sensilla, by timely degrading the odorants that have already fulfilled the activation of the odorant receptor (OR). Here we reported the cloning and characterization of an ODE gene (SexiCXE10) from the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera exigua. SexiCXE10 is a carboxylesterase (CXE) gene, encoding a protein with 538 amino acid residues, and bearing typical characteristics of Carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE, EC 3.

Identification and expression pattern of candidate olfactory genes in Chrysoperla sinica by antennal transcriptome analysis.

Chrysoperla sinica is one of the most prominent natural enemies of many agricultural pests. Host seeking in insects is strongly mediated by olfaction. Understanding the sophisticated olfactory system of insect antennae is crucial for studying the physiological bases of olfaction and could also help enhance the effectiveness of C.

Expression Analysis and Binding Assays in the Chemosensory Protein Gene Family Indicate Multiple Roles in Helicoverpa armigera.

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been proposed to capture and transport hydrophobic chemicals to receptors on sensory neurons. We identified and cloned 24 CSP genes to better understand the physiological function of CSPs in Helicoverpa armigera. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays indicate that CSP genes are ubiquitously expressed in adult H.

Odorant-binding proteins display high affinities for behavioral attractants and repellents in the natural predator Chrysopa pallens.

Chrysopa pallens is an important natural predator of various pests in many different cropping systems. Understanding the sophisticated olfactory system of insect antennae is crucial for studying the physiological bases of olfaction and could also help enhance the effectiveness of C. pallens in biological control.