Pest Management Science最新文献

Background: Gustatory organs are distributed throughout the insect body, including mouthpart, tarsi, and gut. The highly differentiated gustatory receptors (GRs) expressed in these organs are used to perceive diverse phytochemicals, enabling the identification of feeding stimulants or deterrents essential to maintain necessary life activities. The silkworm, a representative Lepidoptera species, has been a classic model for studying the gustation of phytophagous insects. Previous studies have revealed that GRs expressed in silkworm mouthpart are involved in host-plant recognition. However, the gustation mechanism in the silkworm internal tissues is not well understood.

Results: In this study, the gustatory receptor BmGr29, which is relatively highly expressed in the silkworm gut and has seven transmembrane domains, was identified. RNA in situ hybridization showed that this receptor was enriched in the silkworm midgut. Compared with wild-type (WT) individuals, the food intake, weight gain of larvae and the size, weight of pupa were significantly reduced in BmGr29-knock out (KO) mutants. Through autodocking and voltage clamp, it was found that BmGr29 was specifically tuned to two amino acids, proline and asparagine.

Conclusion: This study comprehensively analyzed the function of BmGr29 highly expressed in gut, a silkworm internal organ. The tuning between GRs and amino acids expanded our understanding about insect adaptations to plants, and provided perspectives to further research about feeding regulation mechanisms. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Dinotefuran (DNF) is a neonicotinoid insecticide with strong systemic, poisoning and gastric toxicity, which is no cross-resistance with the existing pesticides, but its toxicity to environmental organisms such as bees and earthworms is high. The development of environmentally responsive pesticide controlled-release agents using nanomaterials to process the agents by physical or chemical methods can improve the utilization of the pesticide and better utilize the active molecules of the pesticide.

Results: To enhance the performance of dinotefuran, UiO-67 was prepared, characterized, and then combined with dinotefuran to form dinotefuran-UiO-67 (DNF@UiO-67) nanocomposites. Compared with dinotefuran, DNF@UiO-67 nanocomposites significantly increased the wettability and photolysis resistance of dinotefuran. Dinotefuran was loaded on UiO-67 without influencing its original activity and was more efficient in the long-term control of pea aphid compared to dinotefuran. The treatment of pea seeds with different concentrations of DNF@UiO-67 did not significantly affect the germination and growth of pea seeds and ensured the normal growth of plants. DNF@UiO-67 reduced the acute toxicity to earthworms and bees. These improvements imply that the DNF@UiO-67 nanocomposites could be used as a potential formulation to improve insecticidal activity and enhance its safety for environmental organisms of dinotefuran.

Conclusion: This study not only develops DNF@UiO-67 nanocomposites to improve the performance of dinotefuran while maintaining its original insecticidal, but also provides a new idea for the application of dinotefuran in agriculture. Our findings will provide more possibilities for the application of DNF@UiO-67 nanocomposites as an effective and environmentally friendly formulation in agriculture. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Background: Nuclear hormone receptors play crucial roles in embryonic development, neural regulation, metabolism, and organogenesis in insects. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of the nuclear hormone receptor 3 (HR3) in the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Results: Our findings revealed that HvHR3 was expressed at all developmental stages, with the highest expression levels in the 1st instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, and pupa. HvHR3 silencing in both the 1st and 3rd instar larvae resulted in high mortality rates. Reduced HvHR3 expression in the 3rd instar larvae led to developmental arrest and failure to molt, accompanied by a down-regulation of 20E-related genes. Furthermore, HvHR3 silencing in the 3rd instar larvae resulted in a decrease in the 20E titer. Silencing HvHR3 in adult females significantly impaired ovarian development, resulting in reduced ovary size and absence of mature oocytes. Additionally, the eggs produced by these females had partially ruptured shells and failed to maintain normal spindle shape.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that HvHR3 is a critical regulator of development, molting, and reproduction, underscoring its potential as a molecular target for RNA interference-based biopesticides aimed at controlling this pest. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.