Roles of Fox gene in the development and reproduction of diamondback moth

The forkhead box (Fox) family of transcription factors is essential for controlling physiological functions, metabolism and development in insects. However, the role of the Fox gene in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, a major agricultural pest of cruciferous crops, is still unknown. The purpose of this work was to characterize the PxFox1 gene and investigate its role in the reproduction and development of P. xylostella. The Fox gene in P. xylostella (PxFox1) is identified from the P. xylostella genome. The Fox gene was conserved in lepidoptera with the presence of Forkhead domain. PxFox1 was expressed in different developmental stages and tissues of P. xylostella, highly in the female adult and integument. The PxFox1 knockout mutants were generated by using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. The significant reduction in the number of eggs and hatching rate was observed in mutants as compared with the wild-type. Meanwhile, an extended larval duration, shortened pupal phase, and reduced adult lifespan were observed in the mutants. Furthermore, PxFox1 mutants displayed significant phenotypic abnormalities such as malformed wings, irregular body segmentation, and reduced body size, highlighting the gene’s essential role in the morphological development. These results showed that PxFox1 is necessary for P. xylostella development, survival, and reproduction. Targeting PxFox1 could provide a potential genetic pest control strategy for managing P. xylostella populations, offering new insights into insect gene regulation for sustainable pest management.