RNAi-Based Biopesticides Against 28-Spotted Ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata Does Not Harm the Insect Predator Propylea japonica

Shimin Chen, Xuming Luo, Satyabrata Nanda, Chunxiao Yang, Zhaoyang Li, Youjun Zhang, Xuguo Zhou, Huipeng Pan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of the notorious pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is an emerging environment friendly research area. However, the characterization of key target genes in H. vigintioctopunctata is crucial for this. Additionally, assessing the risk of RNAi to nontarget organisms (NTOs) is necessary for environmental safety. In this study, the potential of RNAi technology in controlling H. vigintioctopunctata infestation has been investigated by the oral delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The results revealed that the silencing of six genes, including HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k, was highly lethal to H. vigintioctopunctata. The LC50 values of the dsRNAs used to silence these six genes were found to be less than 13 ng/μL. Moreover, the use of the bacterially expressed dsRNAs caused high mortality in the lab and field populations of H. vigintioctopunctata. Further, administration of HvHel25E and HvSrp54k dsRNAs in the predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica confirmed no transcriptional or organismal levels effects. This risk-assessment result ensured no off-target RNAi effects on the NTOs. Overall, the findings of the study suggested that HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k can be novel promising molecular targets with high specificity for H. vigintioctopunctata management with negligible effects on the NTOs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3373-3384
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Volume71
Issue number7
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • environment friendly
  • Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
  • nontarget effects
  • oral RNAi
  • Propylaea japonica

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'RNAi-Based Biopesticides Against 28-Spotted Ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata Does Not Harm the Insect Predator Propylea japonica'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this