Effects of Orally Delivered Double-Stranded RNA of <i>Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase</i> on the Population of <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i>
The invasive pest <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i> (western flower thrip, WFT) severely impacts agricultural production. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a viable alternative to chemical control methods. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) is an important enzyme for the synthesis...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/6/614 |
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| Summary: | The invasive pest <i>Frankliniella occidentalis</i> (western flower thrip, WFT) severely impacts agricultural production. RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a viable alternative to chemical control methods. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) is an important enzyme for the synthesis of trehalose in insects. The <i>TPS</i> gene is a potential target for RNAi-based pest control; however, its efficacy against WFTs remains unclear. Feeding with the synthesized dsFoTPS to WFT significantly increased the mortalities of first- and second-instar nymphs and adults and significantly decreased the number of eggs laid by adults within 72 h; the expression of <i>FoTPS</i> was significantly down-regulated in 24, 48, and 72 h. Ingestion of WFTs on <i>Escherichia coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS led to a marked increase in the total pre-reproductive period; reductions in survival rate, adult longevity, oviposition days, fecundity, peak reproduction value, the intrinsic rate of increase, the finite rate of increase, and the net reproductive rate; and an extension of the mean generation time. <i>TPS</i> gene expression was significantly down-regulated on days 7 and 28. A population simulation of WFTs fed with <i>E. coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS indicated that the population suppression was reduced to 1/34 of the control in 100 d. Oral delivery of <i>E. coli</i> expressing dsFoTPS effectively inhibited the survival, fecundity, and population growth of WFTs, offering a novel approach and rationale for the prevention and control of WFTs. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4450 |