Frontiers in insect science最新文献

{"title":"Comparative analysis of gut symbionts in <i>Tribolium castaneum</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and their dietary substrate, sauce-flavored Daqu.","authors":"Jun Lü, Shan Xu, Can Teng, Rujia Huang, Guiqin Xiong, Qin Cheng","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1614310","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1614310","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Tribolium castaneum</i> (red flour beetle), a major pest infesting stored sauce-flavored Daqu (SFD), causes significant economic losses in the sauce-flavored liquor industry. This study analyzed microbial interactions between SFD and <i>T. castaneum</i> (adults and larvae) using 16S rDNA and ITS sequencing. <i>T. castaneum</i> guts primarily hosted Bacteroidota (44.7% adults, 50.9% larvae) and Proteobacteria, contrasting SFD's Firmicutes-dominated community (89.3%), featuring <i>Oceanobacillus</i> (31.7%) and <i>Bacillus</i> (11.2%). Fungal communities across groups were Ascomycota-rich (90%), with <i>Aspergillus</i> (86%) as core, while larvae uniquely harbored <i>Lichtheimia</i> (5.5%). Larvae shared more bacterial taxa with SFD (5 genera vs. 3 in adults), yet high-abundance SFD bacteria (e.g., <i>Weissella</i>) were scarce in guts (0.6%) and vice versa. Fungal source tracking revealed SFD contributed 89-94% of gut fungi, vastly exceeding bacterial inputs (2.8-5%). Shared bacterial ASVs (n=58) exhibited functional divergence: carbohydrate metabolism dominated in SFD, whereas insect-associated ASVs enriched drug resistance genes. Findings suggest <i>T. castaneum</i> selectively colonizes SFD bacteria (e.g., <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Oceanobacillus</i>) while proportionally acquiring fungi (e.g., <i>Aspergillus</i>) via dietary transmission. These microbes may act as a gut \"seed bank\" or host-selected symbionts, warranting further validation to clarify their ecological roles and inform microbially-based pest control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1614310"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12263590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144651791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An emerging <i>Platynota</i> sp. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) infesting blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i>) in the central coast of Peru.","authors":"Ricardo Velasquez, Ana Maria Leiva, Alejandra Gil-Ordóñez, Lady Susan Perez-Fuentes, Viviana Domínguez, Wilmer J Cuellar","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1593907","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1593907","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Blueberry cultivation has recently become a rapidly expanding export industry in Peru. With few to no official records of phytosanitary problems up to date. Nevertheless, as observed in other major blueberry producer countries, pests occurrences have been already reported. This study presents a comprehensive biological and molecular characterization of a novel blueberry pest, identifying it as a member of the Tortricidae family in the genus <i>Platynota</i>. The insect's average life cycle was determined to be 46.3 days for males and 48.6 days for females, with the larval stage being the longest (25.4 days on average), and the most destructive due to its feeding behavior, which significantly damages buds and fruits. Morphological analysis of the genitalia, along with a comparison of its complete mitochondrial DNA, further supports the conclusion that this pest is a new species. These findings represent the first report of a tortricid pest affecting blueberries in Peru and offer crucial insights for developing effective pest management strategies, contributing to the sustainable growth of blueberry production and exports in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1593907"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12202582/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144532548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A miR-JL-5 inhibitor modulates the proliferation of <i>Nosema cerana</i>e in <i>Apis cerana</i>.","authors":"Xu Han, Jin Hua Xiao, Wei Yu Yan, Xu Jiang He, Zhi Jiang Zeng","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1583941","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1583941","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong><i>Apis cerana</i> is the native host of <i>Nosema ceranae</i> (<i>N. ceranae</i>). Previous studies reported that <i>N. ceranae</i> was more harmful to the new host (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) than the original host that had spread globally and become one of the factors implicated in honeybee colony collapses. Therefore, it was essential to study the relationship between <i>Apis cerana</i> and <i>N. ceranae</i> for the prevention and control of the disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In order to effectively block the regulation of spore proliferation in honeybees, we designed a miR-JL-5 inhibitor. In this study, infected bees (<i>Apis cerana</i>) were fed sugar water with <i>N. ceranae</i> miR-JL-5 inhibitor in incubators using RNA interference technology. The spores load and the expression of microRNA, DEmRNA, and target gene among miRNA inhibitor group, infection group, and miRNA scramble group were compared. Both the biological functions of miR-JL-5 and the target gene of miRNAJL-5, were verified using RNA interference.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results showed that expression levels of JL-5 and the spore load in the miRNA inhibitor group were significantly lower than those in the infection and miRNA-scramble groups. We predicted that 847 honeybee genes and 133 N<i>. ceranae</i> genes can be targeted by the miR-JL-5. Whole transcriptome sequencing results showed that a total of 5 honeybee DEmRNAs, and 0 N<i>. ceranae</i> DEmRNA were identified in miRNA inhibitor group, infection group, and miRNA scramble group, in which only the honeybee mucin-19-like gene was the target gene by miR-JL-5.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings reveal that feeding miR-JL-5 inhibitor could reduce <i>N. ceranae</i> levels by altering the expression of miR-JL-5 and related target gene (honeybee mucin-19-like gene). Our results provide insights into role that microRNA regulates the proliferation of <i>N. ceranae</i> in <i>Apis cerana</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1583941"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12174399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144328368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"One Health, many approaches: integrated vector management strategies support One Health goals.","authors":"Hannah S Tiffin, Jennifer R Gordon, Karen C Poh","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1549348","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1549348","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Integrated pest management (IPM) laid the foundation for integrated vector management (IVM) by introducing strategies that prioritize prevention over intervention and the use of diverse management and control tools for arthropod vectors. Both approaches focus on reducing chemical reliance for management of targeted organisms by employing data-driven decisions and incorporating the use of additional non-chemical based management tactics. While IPM and IVM differ in their specific applications and management contexts, many of their fundamental principles remain the same. By diversifying prevention and control options, these management practices support healthier environments, animals, and populace, the three spheres of the One Health paradigm. One Health principles support and highlight the connections between animal, human, and environmental health and how these spheres influence one another. However, the connections and overlapping goals between IVM and One Health are infrequently discussed in tandem. This review will examine the numerous and varied methods of IVM for reducing global disease burden, detail the benefits of using IVM to achieve One Health goals, as well as benefits and considerations to incorporating a One Health lens with IVM.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1549348"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12171957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144319145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Where you live shapes who you are: morphological changes in urban <i>Triatoma infestans</i>.","authors":"Romina V Piccinali, Julieta Nattero, Florencia Cano, Paz Sánchez-Casaccia, Ana L Carbajal-de-la-Fuente","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1593921","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1593921","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Urbanization has transformed landscapes, driving ecological and morphological changes in insects. Chagas, traditionally a multidimensional rural problem, is increasingly reported in urban areas. <i>Triatoma infestans</i>, the primary vector of Chagas disease in the Southern Cone, has been reported in urban centers of San Juan, Argentina, for decades. Using morphometric and colorimetric analyses, we assess how urbanization influences the morphology and coloration of <i>T. infestans</i>.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 105 adults from five urban and one rural population of San Juan were analyzed.Wings, pronota, heads, and legs were measured and compared between populations and sexes. Principal Component and Canonical Variate Analyses were performed to assess shape variations. Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests, and linear models examined size differences. Colorimetric analyses searched for wing and connexivum color differences between individuals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multivariate analyses revealed significant morphological differentiation of wing, pronotum, and head shapes, primarily distinguishing the rural Valle Fértil from urban populations. Centroid size analyses indicated that rural individuals exhibited larger body structures, a pattern generally consistent across sexes. Furthermore, leg morphology also varied, with Valle Fértil insects possessing greater femur length and width compared to their urban counterparts. No significant color differences were found across populations or sexes.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Urban <i>T. infestans</i> exhibit size reductions, aligning with Schofield's simplification hypothesis and possibly influenced by the Urban Heat Island effect. Shape changes, more pronounced in wings and pronota, suggest other influences beyond the rural-urban gradient, potentially including developmental plasticity, flight demands, and genetic drift. These findings underscore the need for urban-specific Chagas disease control strategies and further research on the evolutionary dynamics of <i>T. infestans</i> in urban environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1593921"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12171112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144319146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tracking sustainability in crop pest management in the United States using an eco-efficiency index.","authors":"Madison Love, Roger D Magarey, Brian L Holderman, Danesha Seth Carley, Federico Maggi, Naomi Singer","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1582496","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1582496","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While agricultural pesticides are considered essential for global food security, their use poses significant environmental and human health risks. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a science-based framework to minimize these risks by integrating multiple pest management strategies. However, IPM adoption and funding in the United States have been limited, partly due to a 2001 government report highlighting the lack of measurable reductions in pesticide use. To address this challenge, we propose an index based on eco-efficiency, the ratio of agricultural productivity to environmental impacts, to quantify, track, and incentivize IPM adoption. Using crop production and pesticide use data, including both the mass and toxicity of active ingredients, eco-efficiency scores were calculated for ten major U.S. crop groups from 1992 to 2018. The results demonstrate the potential of this index to monitor progress over time and identify shifts in pesticide use relative to crop production. This approach offers a practical, data-driven tool to evaluate pesticide risk reduction, prioritize IPM research and Extension efforts, and support future policy and funding decisions aimed at promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1582496"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12130631/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144218021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical analysis, repellent, larvicidal, and oviposition deterrent activities of plant essential oils against <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, <i>Anopheles gambiae</i>, and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>.","authors":"Muhammad Ghazanfar Abbas, Muhammad Binyameen, Muhammad Azeem, Shahid Majeed, Zahid Mehmood Sarwar, Abdul Nazir, Mahar Muhammad Imran Sharif, Amna Parveen, Raimondas Mozūratis","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1582669","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1582669","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant-based essential oils have gained attention as a natural alternative for controlling mosquitoes due to their repellent, larvicidal and oviposition deterrent properties. We tested repellent, larvicidal, and oviposition deterrent effects of essential oils (EOs) of <i>Mentha</i> sp<i>icata</i> (L.), <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> (L.), and <i>Abutilon indicum</i> (L.) against three mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) including <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (L.), <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> s. l. Giles, and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> Say by using contact-based technique. In screening bioassays, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i>, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata II</i>, <i>O. basilicum I</i>, <i>O. basilicum II</i>, and <i>A. indicum</i> EOs showed higher repellency against <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> as compared to <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>An. gambiae</i> when tested at 33.3 μg/cm². In time-span bioassays performed at 33.3 μg/cm², EO of <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i> exhibited 100% repellence up to 45, 30, and 75 min against <i>Ae. aegypti</i>, <i>An. gambiae</i>, and <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i>, respectively. Interestingly, at this tested dose, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i> and <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata II</i> showed higher repellence compared to DEET against <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> after 45 and 75 min, respectively. Their repellency was observed up to 150 and 210 min against <i>Ae. aegypti</i> and <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i>, respectively. In larvicidal bioassays, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i> EO proved more toxic against 2^nd instar larvae of <i>Ae. aegypti</i>, <i>An. gambiae</i>, and <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i> (LC₅₀ = 11.0, 42.9, and 12.6 mg/L, respectively) compared to other tested EOs. In oviposition bioassays, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i> exhibited the highest activity, showing 60%, 46%, and 79% oviposition deterrence against <i>Ae. aegypti</i>, <i>An. gambiae</i>, and <i>Cx. quinquefasciatus</i>, respectively, tested at a dose of 600 µg/cm². Major compounds of <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata I</i>, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata II</i>, <i>O. basilicum I</i>, and <i>O. basilicum II</i> EOs were piperitenone oxide (38.8%), piperitone oxide (35.4%), estragole (55.3%), and linalool (43.8%), respectively. In conclusion, <i>M.</i> sp<i>icata</i> EO could be used to control mosquitoes and their bites.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1582669"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12120851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular identification of immature stages of medically important fly species, Puducherry, South India: a preliminary study.","authors":"Sudha Bhuvaneshwaran, Visa Shalini Padmanaban, Ranjana Devi Radja, Gayathri Anandan, Shakila Venkatesan, Janani Semalaiyappan, Ashwani Kumar, Vijesh Sreedhar Kuttiatt","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1551807","DOIUrl":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1551807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Flies and maggots are of medical importance, and it is often necessary to identify them at species level. Conventionally, this is carried out based on morphological features using taxonomic keys. However, identification of maggots based on morphology is difficult and required entomological expertise is often lacking in clinical settings. Molecular methods can be an alternative to morphology-based identification and find special application when only tiny pieces of specimens are available especially in cases of human myiasis. In this preliminary study, we explored the utility of mitochondrial COI gene based molecular method, for identifying immature stages of certain medically important flies captured from the field in Puducherry, India. Maggots were captured from different locations in Puducherry using rotten fish and kitchen waste as baits and a 700 bp segment of the COI gene was amplified and genetic relationship was assessed by performing haplotype network analysis. High quality sequences were available for 11 specimens and were subjected to BLAST analysis to identify matches from the database for identification of the species. The identified maggots belonged to <i>Sarcophaga peregrina</i> (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), <i>Hemipyrellia ligurriens</i> (Wiedemann, 1830) and <i>Chrysomya megacephala</i> (Fabricius, 1794). This study generated representative molecular sequence data for two less studied fly species of medical importance, <i>S. peregrina</i> and <i>H. ligurriens</i> from South India. In future, there is a need for further detailed molecular studies on flies in the diverse epidemiological and geographic settings in India with a view to identify cryptic species and new haplotypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1551807"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12119495/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144183109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bibliometric trends and patterns in Tasar silkworm (<i>Antheraea mylitta</i>) research: a data report (1980-2024).","authors":"J Komal, R Gowrisankar, Vishaka G V, H Nadaf, Ipsita Samal, Pasumarthi Venkata Dinesh Kumar, C Selvaraj, B Thirupam Reddy, T Selvakumar, Deepak Kumar Mahanta, Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1533267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2025.1533267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study presents a bibliometric analysis of publication trends in Tasar silkworm (<i>Antheraea mylitta</i>) research from 1980 to 2024. A comprehensive search was conducted using the Scopus database with keywords related to Tasar silkworm. A total of 741 relevant articles were identified and analyzed using VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny in R to examine statistical patterns. Over the decades, research focus has transitioned from fundamental silk characterization to biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, biodegradation studies, and antioxidant properties. Publication trends indicate peak research activity between 2007 and 2010, followed by a decline post-2018, likely due to shifting priorities toward commercially dominant silkworm species. Indian institutions have been the primary contributors, reflecting strong domestic expertise, while global collaborations remain limited. Keyword analysis highlights the growing interdisciplinary nature of Tasar silk research, extending into biomaterials and sustainable technology. Future research directions emphasize biotechnological advancements, biomedical applications, eco-friendly processing, climate resilience, and commercialization strategies. Strengthening international collaborations and integrating innovative technologies will be crucial for advancing Tasar silk research in both scientific and industrial domains.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1533267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12075178/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential RNAi efficacy of siRNA and dsRNA targeting key genes for pest control in <i>Spodoptera litura</i>.","authors":"Yu-Chun Lin, Yun-Heng Lu, Yun Liu, Yu-Juan Su, Yu-Hsien Lin, Yueh-Lung Wu","doi":"10.3389/finsc.2025.1574585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2025.1574585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising gene-silencing technique for pest control that targets essential genes. We assessed the potential of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence <i>mesh</i> or <i>iap</i> genes in the midguts of <i>Spodoptera litura</i> larvae. Despite the theoretical promise of RNAi approaches, our findings revealed that dsRNA did not induce significant gene silencing or impact larval growth, whereas siRNA exhibited clear insecticidal effects, likely by disrupting intestinal osmoregulation and impairing larval fitness. Detailed analysis indicated that dsRNA could not be efficiently converted into functional siRNA in the midguts of <i>S. litura</i>, possibly due to the low expression levels of Dicer-2 and the rapid degradation of dsRNA within the gut environment. Furthermore, while dsRNA demonstrated greater environmental stability than siRNA under soil conditions, the inability of <i>S. litura</i> to process dsRNA effectively limits its viability as a pest control agent. These findings indicate the critical role of Dicer-2 in RNAi-mediated gene silencing and highlight the challenges and limitations of employing dsRNA-based genetic pesticides in lepidopteran species.</p>","PeriodicalId":517424,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in insect science","volume":"5 ","pages":"1574585"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12075318/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144083100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}