Effect of different double‐stranded RNA feeding solutions on the RNA interference of V‐ATPase‐B in Frankliniella occidentalis

• Published in: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata 2022-05, Vol.170 (5), p.427-436
• Main Authors: Zhang, Tao, Zhi, Jun‐Rui, Li, Ding‐Yin, Liu, Li, Zeng, Guang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine triphosphatase; Adults; adverse effects; Crop production; crops; Double-stranded RNA; fecundity; Feeding; feeding solutions; females; Fertility; Frankliniella occidentalis; Gene expression; Honey; horticulture; insect pests; Insects; Interference; mortality; Pest control; Plant viruses; Pollen; RNA interference; RNA viruses; RNA-mediated interference; RNAi research; Sucrose; Survival; survival rate; Thripidae; Thysanoptera; Transcription; tryptones; Viruses; V‐ATPase‐B; western flower thrips, target gene; Yeasts
• ISSN: 0013-8703; 1570-7458
• DOI: 10.1111/eea.13153

Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), has posed a serious threat to horticultural and agricultural crop production by feeding, ovipositing, and transmitting plant viruses. RNA interference (RNAi) technology is considered a potential strategy for insect pest control. A main method of RNAi research on WFT is the feeding method for delivering double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). The feeding solution plays an important role in the stable delivery of dsRNA. In this study, we screened for a feeding solution suitable for RNAi experiments and investigated the effects of five feeding solutions on the survival of WFT adults and nymphs. The effect of mixed V‐ATPase‐B dsRNA in various feeding solutions on the RNAi efficiency of WFT was analysed. The Luria–Bertani‐based and ‘tryptone soy broth and yeast’ (TSBY) solution had a higher adverse effect than the other feeding solutions on the survival of adults and nymphs of WFT, whereas sucrose, pollen, and honey solution could maintain higher survival rates in both nymph and adult thrips. Sucrose solution and TSBY solution mixed with dsRNA had no significant knockdown effects on V‐ATPase‐B transcription level. Honey and pollen solution mixed dsRNA, however, not only significantly decreased V‐ATPase‐B transcription level, but also reduced the survival rate and fertility of female adults to a certain extent. The stability of dsRNA was improved in honey solution. The results of this study provide a feasible reference for the selection of feeding solutions for RNAi experiments for feeding of WTF with dsRNA. A main method of RNAi research on western flower thrips (WFT) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is feeding for delivering double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). This study showed that a honey solution did not only contribute to the survival of WFT adults and nymphs, but also improved the stability of the mixed dsRNA in the solution. The honey solution mixing with dsRNA had a more significant effect on down‐regulation of V‐ATPase‐B transcription level and reduced the survival rate and fecundity of adult WFT females.