Knockdown of the ecdysone receptor disrupts development and causes mortality in the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae

Cucurbits are important economic plants that are attacked by numerous pests, among which the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae is extremely problematic. New sustainable pest control strategies are necessary to replace chemical insecticides that are harmful to the environment, human health and nontarge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insect molecular biology 2023-12, Vol.32 (6), p.738-747
Main Authors: Ahmad, Shakil, Jamil, Momana, Jaworski, Coline C., Wu, Yuejie, Palma‐Onetto, Valeria, Lyu, Baoqian, Luo, Yanping
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bactrocera cucurbitae
Control methods
Developmental stages
Ecdysone
Environmental Sciences
Fecundity
Gene expression
Ingestion
Insecticides
Larvae
Life Sciences
Molting
Mortality
Nontarget organisms
Pest control
Pests
Phenotypes
Receptors
RNA-mediated interference
Sustainable development
Weight reduction
Zeugodacus cucurbitae
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Summary:Cucurbits are important economic plants that are attacked by numerous pests, among which the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae is extremely problematic. New sustainable pest control strategies are necessary to replace chemical insecticides that are harmful to the environment, human health and nontarget species. The RNA interference (RNAi) technology is one of the most promising tools due to high efficiency and species specificity. We developed an RNAi strategy targeting the ecdysone receptor ( ECR ) of Z. cucurbitae , which plays an important role in moulting and reproduction. We identified, described and isolated the ECR gene of Z. cucurbitae and measured its expression pattern across developmental stages and tissues. ZcECR knockdown via ds ZcECR ingestion caused a significant larval mortality and abnormal phenotypes in pupae and adults. About 68% of larvae fed with a ds ZcECR ‐treated diet failed to enter the pupal stage and died. In addition, ZcECR knockdown dramatically reduced pupal weight (by 3.24 mg on average) and fecundity (by about 23%). RNAi targeting the ECR gene is therefore a promising method to control Z. cucurbitae , paving the way for the development of novel sustainable and highly specific control strategies.
ISSN:0962-1075
1365-2583
DOI:10.1111/imb.12867