Behavioral division is essential for the sustainability and reproduction of honeybee populations.While accumulating evidence has documented that antibiotic exposure interferes with bee behavioral divisions,how the gut...Behavioral division is essential for the sustainability and reproduction of honeybee populations.While accumulating evidence has documented that antibiotic exposure interferes with bee behavioral divisions,how the gut microbiome,host physiology,and genetic regulation are implicated in this process remains understudied.Here,by constructing single-cohort colonies,we validated that the gut microbiota varied in composition between age-matched nurse and forager bees.Perturbing the gut microbiota with a low dose of antibiotic retained the gut bacterial size,but the structure of the microbial community continuously diverged from the control group after antibiotic treatment.Fewer foragers were observed in the antibiotic groups in the field experiment.A combinatorial effect of decreased gut metabolic gene repertoires,reduced brain neurotransmitter titers,and downregulated brain immune genes could potentially be related to behavioral tasks transition delay.This work indicates that the disturbance to both the gut microbiome and host physiologies after antibiotic exposure may have implications on social behavior development,highlighting the need for further research focusing on antibiotic pollution threatening the honeybee population's health.展开更多
The sweet potato weevil(Cylas formicarius)is a critical pest producing enor-mous global losses in sweet potato crops.Traditional pest management approaches for sweet potato weevil,primarily using chemical pesticides,c...The sweet potato weevil(Cylas formicarius)is a critical pest producing enor-mous global losses in sweet potato crops.Traditional pest management approaches for sweet potato weevil,primarily using chemical pesticides,causes pollution,food safety is-sues,and harming natural enemies.While RNA interference(RNAi)is a promising envi-ronmentally friendly approach to pest control,its efficacy in controlling the sweet potato weevil has not been extensively studied.In this study,we selected a potential target for controlling C.formicarius,the Troponin I gene(wupA),which is essential for muscula-ture composition and crucial for fundamental life activities.We determined that wupA is abundantly expressed throughout all developmental stages of the sweet potato weevil.We evaluated the efficiency of double-stranded RNAs in silencing the wupA gene via microinjection and oral feeding of sweet potato weevil larvae at different ages.Our find-ings demonstrate that both approaches significantly reduced the expression of wupA and produced high mortality.Moreover,the 1st instar larvae administered dswupA exhibited significant growth inhibition.We assessed the toxicity of dswupA on the no-target insect silkworm and assessed its safety.Our study indicates that wupA knockdown can inhibit the growth and development of C.formicarius and offer a potential target gene for envi-ronmentally friendly control.展开更多
Insects have to obtain sterols from food due to the inability to synthesize this essential nutrient de novo.For lepidopteran insects,they can convert a variety of phytosterols into cholesterol to meet their growth nee...Insects have to obtain sterols from food due to the inability to synthesize this essential nutrient de novo.For lepidopteran insects,they can convert a variety of phytosterols into cholesterol to meet their growth needs.The final step of the cholesterol biosynthesis is the metabolism of desmosterol catalyzed by 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase(DHCR24).In this study,we identified a DHCR24 homolog in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera,designated as H.armigera 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase(HaDHCR24)-1.The quantitative expression analyses indicated that HaDHCR24-1 was highly enriched in the midgut where dietary sterol uptake occurs.Compared to the control,the DHCR24-1 mutant larvae generated by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 technology accumulated more desmosterol in the gut,while the content of cholesterol was significantly reduced.A similar phenomenon was observed when the DHCR24 inhibitor,amiodarone,was applied to the insects.Moreover,DHCR24-1 played an important role for the usage ofβ-sitosterol,a major sterol in plants,in H.armigera,and loss of function of DHCR24-1 resulted in higher mortality onβ-sitosterol.However,the DHCR24 homolog does not necessarily exist in the genomes of all insects.The loss of this gene occurred more frequently in the insects feeding on animals,which further support the role of DHCR24-1 in using phytosterols.This gene may have important potential in developing new strategies to control herbivory pests in Lepidoptera and other insect orders.展开更多
Disruption of the circadian clock can affect starvation resistance,but the molecular mechanism is still unclear.Here,we found that starvation resistance was significantly reduced in the core gene BmPer deficient mutan...Disruption of the circadian clock can affect starvation resistance,but the molecular mechanism is still unclear.Here,we found that starvation resistance was significantly reduced in the core gene BmPer deficient mutant silkworms(Per^(−/−)),but the mutant's starvation resistance increased with larval age.Under natural physiological conditions,the weight of mutant 5th instar larvae was significantly increased compared to wild type,and the accumulation ability of triglycerides and glycogen in the fat bodies was upregulated.However,under starvation conditions,the weight consumption of mutant larvae was increased and cholesterol utilization was intensified.Transcriptome analysis showed that beta-oxidation was significantly upregulated under starvation conditions,fatty acid synthesis was inhibited,and the expression levels of genes related to mitochondrial function were significantly changed.Further investigations revealed that the redox balance,which is closely related to mitochondrial metabolism,was altered in the fat bodies,the antioxidant level was increased,and the pentose phosphate pathway,the source of reducing power in cells,was activated.Our findings suggest that one of the reasons for the increased energy burden observed in mutants is the need to maintain a more robust redox balance in metabolic tissues.This necessitates the diversion of more glucose into the pentose phosphate pathway to ensure an adequate supply of reducing power.展开更多
The greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella(Lepidoptera,Pyralidae),is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives,leading to economic losses.It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organ...The greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella(Lepidoptera,Pyralidae),is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives,leading to economic losses.It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organism.The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9)system plays a crucial role in improving economic insect breeding and developing efficient agricultural pest management systems in Lepidoptera.However,the CRISPR/Cas9 protocols have not been developed for G.mellonella.Here,the Gmebony knockout(KO)strain was established using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system.We obtained Gmebony KO strain in the G4 generation,which took approximately 10 months.When compared with wild-type,the head,notum,and the terminal abdominal surface of 1st to 4th instar larvae in the KO strain changed from yellow to brown,and these regions of the KO strain gradually transformed into a black color from the 5th instar larvae,and the body color of the adult moth in the KO strain changed to black.The developmental period of the early larval and the following larval instars extended.The embryonic hatchability of the Gmebony KO strain was significantly decreased.The pupal body weight of the Gmebony KO strain was not affected.The feasibility of the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology was validated by single-target editing of Gmebony.Our findings provide the first evidence that the ebony gene can serve as a pigmentation reference gene for genetic modifications of G.mellonella.Meanwhile,it can be utilized in the development of genome editing control strategies and for gene function analyses in G.mellonella.展开更多
Aedes albopictus is an important vector of arboviruses and prefers small containers of stagnant water as oviposition sites.One of the mechanisms mosquitoes use to search for suitable oviposition sites is relying on od...Aedes albopictus is an important vector of arboviruses and prefers small containers of stagnant water as oviposition sites.One of the mechanisms mosquitoes use to search for suitable oviposition sites is relying on odor cues from prospective sites and their surroundings.The genetic and molecular bases of this behavior are not known for Ae.albopictus.Oviposition site-searching behavior can be separated into 2 stages:container location and water detection.We applied a glue compound to the antennae and the maxillary palps of adult females to mask their ability to detect molecules that may guide them to preferred oviposition sites.Treatment of the antennae significantly reduces the location index(P<0.001),indicating a decreased ability to find oviposition sites,whereas no significant difference was observed in mosquitoes with maxillary palps treated with the same glue compound(P>0.05).The detection time,measured as the duration from contact with the water surface to the deposition of the first egg,was extended in mosquitoes with treated antennae or maxillary palps,supporting the conclusion that olfaction is involved in the detection of oviposition site.Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed olfactory-related genes,including obp67,obp56d-like,obp19d-like and obp67-like.RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated knockdown of obp67 and obp56d-like significantly affected the location index and detection time,respectively.Cas9/guide RNA-mediated knockout of obp56d-like resulted in a prolonged detection time,compared with the wild type(P<0.05).These findings help to elucidate aspects of the olfactory mechanisms involved in Ae.albopictus oviposition site selection,and provide a basis for the development of mosquito surveillance and control strategies.展开更多
Sterile Insect Technique(SIT)has proven effective to reduce tsetse population density in large infected areas where animal African trypanosomosis(AAT)and human African trypanosomiasis(HAT)elimination was difficult to ...Sterile Insect Technique(SIT)has proven effective to reduce tsetse population density in large infected areas where animal African trypanosomosis(AAT)and human African trypanosomiasis(HAT)elimination was difficult to achieve.However,the decrease in mass production of insectary-reared tsetse and the limited but incomplete knowledge on symbiont–trypanosome interaction over time,impede large-scale use of SIT.We investigated the spatiotemporal changes in symbiont prevalence and symbiont–trypanosome interactions in wild tsetse of Sora-Mboum AAT focus in northern Cameroon,collected in 2019 and 2020,to provide insights into the mass production of refractory tsetse.Spiroplasma spp.,Sodalis glossinidius and trypanosomes were screened with PCR.G.tachinoides was the most abundant Glossina species found in Sora-Mboum focus.Symbiont prevalences in G.tachinoides were higher in 2019 compared to 2020,from 67.6%to 53.5%for Spiroplasma spp.and from 28.8%to 8.1%for S.glossinidius.These symbionts were also found at higher prevalence in flies from Mouhoun HAT focus in Burkina Faso.Four trypanosome taxa(Trypanosoma congolense forest type,T.congolense savannah type,T.brucei s.l.,and T.vivax)were found in Sora-Mboum focus and Mouhoun focus,though at lower prevalence in Mouhoun.The presence of Spiroplasma spp.in adult tsetse was negatively associated with that of trypanosomes.Our study highlights the potential of Spiroplasma spp.as a good paratransgenesis candidate to enhance SIT application.This symbiont is naturally found in high proportions of tsetse and could prevent factory flies from acquiring and transmitting trypanosomes during their lifespan when released for population density control.展开更多
Lipids are an important energy source and are utilized as substrates for various physiological processes in insects.Comparative gene identification 58(CGI-58),also known asα/βhydrolase domain-containing 5(ABHD5),is ...Lipids are an important energy source and are utilized as substrates for various physiological processes in insects.Comparative gene identification 58(CGI-58),also known asα/βhydrolase domain-containing 5(ABHD5),is a highly conserved and multifunctional gene involved in regulating lipid metabolism and cellular energy balance in many organisms.However,the biological functions of ABHD5 in insects are poorly understood.In the current study,we describe the identification and characterization of the ABHD5 gene in the lepidopteran model insect,Bombyx mori.The tissue expression profile investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)reveals that BmABHD5 is widely expressed in all tissues,with particularly high levels found in the midgut and testis.A binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system was employed to conduct a functional analysis of BmABHD5,with the mutation of BmABHD5 leading to the dysregulation of lipid metabolism and excessive lipid accumulation in the larval midgut.Histological and physiological analysis further reveals a significant accumulation of lipid droplets in the midgut of mutant larvae.RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analysis showed that genes related to metabolic pathways were significantly affected by the absence of BmABHD5.Altogether,our data prove that BmABHD5 plays an important role in regulating tissue-specific lipid metabolism in the silkworm midgut.展开更多
Desiccant dusts have been shown to be effective materials in the management of bed bugs(Cimex spp.).Past research primarily focused on exploring the direct lethal effect of dusts against bed bugs,whereas information o...Desiccant dusts have been shown to be effective materials in the management of bed bugs(Cimex spp.).Past research primarily focused on exploring the direct lethal effect of dusts against bed bugs,whereas information on their sublethal effects on bed bugs are limited.In this study,we evaluated the lethal effect of 3 dust products(Johnson's®Baby powder,Vazor DE powder^(TM),and CimeXaTM;abbreviated as Baby powder,DE,and TM CimeXa)against the tropical bed bug,Cimex hemipterus(F.),under laboratory conditions.Results showed that the 3 dust products caused 97%100%mortality to tropical bed bugs within 14 d,both in no-choice and choice experiments.However,in a brief exposure experiment(crossing a 2.5-cm-wide band),Baby powder exposure caused a significantly lower mortality(23%)than DE(88%)and CimeXa(100%).The more effective dusts(DE and CimeXa)were selected for further evaluation of their sublethal effects on C.hemipterus.DE and CimeXa caused significantly higher mortality(48%58%)through horizontal transfer than that of control(6%).Brief exposure to DE and CimeXa dusts did not affect tropical bed bug activity and their response to CO_(2).However,CimeXa-exposed tropical bed bugs exhibited reduced feeding and lowered survival rate after feeding.Moreover,both DE and CimeXa dust bands showed strong barrier effects on the crawling of tropical bed bugs.Our results indicate that both DE and CimeXa have great potential for preventing C.hemipterus from reaching protected areas and for controlling C.hemipterus.展开更多
The sterile insect technique(SIT)for tsetse involves releasing sterilized males to outcompete wild males in mating,resulting in nonviable progeny.Balancing optimum sterility and male quality is crucial.While irradiati...The sterile insect technique(SIT)for tsetse involves releasing sterilized males to outcompete wild males in mating,resulting in nonviable progeny.Balancing optimum sterility and male quality is crucial.While irradiation in hypoxia or anoxia is routine for tephritid flies,its effect on tsetse,especially postrelease,is not well understood.We conducted experiments to understand the impact of irradiation in hypoxia on the sterility of the F1 generation of Glossina morsitans morsitans(Gmm).Initially,we tested the impact of 1-h preconditioning in hypoxia before irradiation and continued hypoxia up to 24,48,and 72 h postirradiation on the emergence and flight propensity of treated males.We then assessed mating ability,survival,pupae per initial female(PPIF)and residual fertility of flies following irradiation at various doses after 1-h hypoxia conditioning.Finally,we determined the PPIF and residual fertility of the F1generation and the emergence of treated flies to the F2 generation.Results show that short-term conditioning(1 h)in hypoxia maintains or improves the qualities of the irradiated Gmm pupae.Regardless of irradiation in normoxia or hypoxia,higher residual fertility was observed in females than males in the F0 generation,and higher residual fertility in the F1 than the F0 generation for both sexes.However,the emergence rates of males decreased in the F2 generation compared with the F1 generation,a noteworthy finding for SIT programs for tsetse,implying diminishing populations of sterile flies.展开更多
The olive fruit fly(Bactrocera oleae)is a significant pest threatening olive production worldwide.Bactrocera oleae relies on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition,development,and adaptation to its environment.Among these,C...The olive fruit fly(Bactrocera oleae)is a significant pest threatening olive production worldwide.Bactrocera oleae relies on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition,development,and adaptation to its environment.Among these,Candidatus Erwinia dacicola is the most dominant symbiont and plays a key role in the fly's physiology and ecological adaptation.Understanding the dynamics between B.oleae,Ca.E.dacicola,and other components of the B.oleae microbiome is essential for developing effective targeted area-wide pest management strategies.This study aims to leverage full 16S rRNA gene sequencing to enhance the characterization of microbiome diversity in wild B.oleae populations from different regions in Morocco:Ouezzane,Rabat,Tanger,Errachidia,and Beni-Mellal.The results revealed distinct microbiome compositions influenced by geographic locations,with Candidatus Erwinia dacicola as the dominant symbiont,followed by Erwinia persicina as a secondary contributor.Other bacterial taxa,including Asaia bogorensis,were also identified,highlighting the functional diversity within the olive fly microbiome.These findings provide insights into the microbial ecology of B.oleae,contributing to the development and enhancement of sustainable pest control strategies.展开更多
Dear Editor,Insect-fungal symbioses are fruitful testing grounds for examining coevolutionary theories,from host specificity(Stranda&Obrycki,1996;Rohrlich et al.,2018),arms-race scenarios(Pedrini et al.,2015;Stock...Dear Editor,Insect-fungal symbioses are fruitful testing grounds for examining coevolutionary theories,from host specificity(Stranda&Obrycki,1996;Rohrlich et al.,2018),arms-race scenarios(Pedrini et al.,2015;Stock et al.,2023),mutualisms(Aanen et al.,2002;Biedermann&Vega,2020)to biogeography(Zhang et al.,2014;Mueller et al.,2017).These investigations fundamentally depend on clarifying the systematics of both insect hosts and their fungal parasites,but the identities of many fungiparasitized insects are not well understood.This is because DNA from"zombie insect"tissues are invariably fragmented,and often overwhelmed by fungal mycelium(Fig.1,reviewed in Shang et al.,2015;Wang,&Wang,2017;Araujo&Hughes,2019).展开更多
Insect pests threaten food security and food safety through losses caused to crops and livestock,the transmission of diseases to livestock and humans,and diminished trade-oriented production systems.The Food and Agric...Insect pests threaten food security and food safety through losses caused to crops and livestock,the transmission of diseases to livestock and humans,and diminished trade-oriented production systems.The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations(FAO)estimates that insect pests reduce total agricultural output by 30%to 40%.The FAO further indicates that insect pest-derived losses are likely to increase with agricultural intensification and the globalization and international trade of agricultural commodities,the latter of which results in an increased movement of important invasive insect species.Finally,climate change may allow insect pests to invade and prosper in previously inhospitable habitats.展开更多
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications against major insect pests and disease vectors rely on the cost-effective production of high-quality sterile males. This largely depends on the optimal management of target ...Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications against major insect pests and disease vectors rely on the cost-effective production of high-quality sterile males. This largely depends on the optimal management of target pest colonies by maximizing the benefits provided by a genetically rich and pathogen-free mother colony, the presence of symbiotic microorganisms, and efficient domestication, mass-rearing, irradiation, and release processes. At the same time microbial (bacteria, fungi, microsporidia, and viruses) pathogen outbreaks should be minimized or eliminated, and the use of hazardous chemicals restricted. The optimization of the colony management strategies for different SIT target insects will ensure a standardized high-quality mass-rearing process and the cost-effective production of sterile males with enhanced field performance and male mating competitiveness. The aims of the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) were to develop best practices for insect colony management for the cost-effective production of high-quality sterile males for SIT applications against major insect pests and disease vectors through a multidisciplinary approach involving entomologists, geneticists, ecologists, microbiologists, pathologists, virologists, and mass-rearing experts.展开更多
In the article"Multiple mating by both sexes in an invasive insect species,Aethina tumida(Coleoptera:Nitidulidae)"by A.Papach et al.(Insect Science,2023,30,517529,https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13112),the...In the article"Multiple mating by both sexes in an invasive insect species,Aethina tumida(Coleoptera:Nitidulidae)"by A.Papach et al.(Insect Science,2023,30,517529,https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13112),the microsatellite loci used to determine multiple mating by females(Table 3)turned out to be all located on the sex X-chromosome(with the exception of B89,Evans et al.,2008;see Huang et al.,2023).Since males have only one copy of X chromosome,the estimates of multiple mating by females needs to be corrected as follows:(1)direct allele counts:the minimum number of sires for each family was the number of nonmaternal alleles at the locus with the most alleles;(2)COLONY software(Jones&Wang,2010):the settings were changed from diploid dioecious species to haplodiploid dioecious species(with males being haploid).展开更多
There is abundant evidence that parasitoids manipulate their hosts by envenomation to support the development and survival of their progeny before oviposition.However,the specific mechanism underlying host nutritional...There is abundant evidence that parasitoids manipulate their hosts by envenomation to support the development and survival of their progeny before oviposition.However,the specific mechanism underlying host nutritional manipulation remains largely unclear.To gain a more comprehensive insight into the effects induced by the gregarious ectoparasitoid Iseropus kuwanae(Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae)on the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella(Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)larvae,we sequenced the transcriptome of both non-envenomed and envenomed G.mellonella larvae,specifically targeting genes related to lipid metabolism.The present study revealed that 202 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified and 9 DEGs were involved in lipid metabolism.The expression levels of these 9 DEGs relied on envenomation and the duration post-envenomation.Further,envenomation by I.kuwanae induced an increase in triglyceride(TG)level in the hemolymph of G.mellonella larvae.Furthermore,silencing GmPLA_(2) in G.mellonella larvae 24 h post-envenomation significantly decreased the content of 4 unsaturated fatty acids and TG levels in the hemolymph.The content of linoleic acid andα-linoleic acid were significantly decreased and the content of oleic acid was significantly increased by exogenous supplement of arachidonic acid.Meanwhile,the reduction in host lipid levels impairs the growth and development of wasp offspring.The present study provides valuable knowledge about the molecular mechanism of the nutritional interaction between parasitoids and their hosts and sheds light on the coevolution between parasitoids and host insects.展开更多
Dear Editor,The Eocene(ca.56–34 million years ago)has become an important time to study due to the global warming at the time(e.g.,Inglis et al.,2020;Agterhuis et al.,2022;Tierney et al.,2022;Setty et al.,2023),hence...Dear Editor,The Eocene(ca.56–34 million years ago)has become an important time to study due to the global warming at the time(e.g.,Inglis et al.,2020;Agterhuis et al.,2022;Tierney et al.,2022;Setty et al.,2023),hence providing a comparison to modern climate change.The Eocene is also well known for spectacular fossils of the group Insecta,with flies,beetles,moths,and all their kin,not least due to exceptional preservation in differ-ent types of ambers,most well known the Baltic am-ber(Janzen,2002;Weitschat&Wichard,2002;Gröhn,2015).展开更多
Wild bees are ecologically vital but increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities,leading to uncertain survival and health outcomes in urban environments.The gut microbiome contains features indicating host hea...Wild bees are ecologically vital but increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities,leading to uncertain survival and health outcomes in urban environments.The gut microbiome contains features indicating host health and reflecting long-term evolutionary adaptation and acute reactions to real-time stressors.Moving beyond bacteria,we propose a comprehensive analysis integrating diet,bacteriome,virome,resistome,and their association to understand the survival status of urban lives better.We conducted a study on mason bees(Osmia excavata)across 10 urban agricultural sites in Suzhou,China,using shotgun gut metagenome sequencing for data derived from total gut DNA.Our findings revealed that most ingested pollen originated from Brassica crops and the unexpected garden tree Plantanus,indicating that floral resources at the 10 sites supported Osmia but with limited plant diversity.Varied city landscapes revealed site-specific flowers that all contributed to Osmia sustenance.The gut bacterial community,dominated by Gammaproteobacteria,showed remarkable structural stability across 8 sites but suggested perturbations at 2 sites.Antibiotic resistance gene profiles highly varied across 10 sites with prevalent unclassified drug classes,highlighting environmental threats to both bees and humans.The virome analysis identified honeybee pathogens,suggesting potential virus spillover.Many unknown bacteriophages were detected,some of which targeted the core gut bacteria,underscoring their role in maintaining gut homeostasis.These multifaceted metagenomic insights hold the potential to predict bee health and identify environmental threats,thereby guiding probiotic development and city management for effective bee conservation.展开更多
Dear Editor,In past decades,research methods for studying insect morphology have been concentrated on static observation,mainly relying on light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and laser confocal microscopy(Ar...Dear Editor,In past decades,research methods for studying insect morphology have been concentrated on static observation,mainly relying on light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and laser confocal microscopy(Arens,1995;Zucker,2006;Lee et al.,2009).Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)and 3-dimensional(3D)reconstruction techniques help researchers to better observe,analyze,and understand the insect morphology in larvae,pupae,and adults(e.g.facilitating 3D reconstruction and 2-dimensional[2D]virtual sectioning,and elucidating behavioral patterns)(Mattei et al.,2015;Donato et al.,2021;Rother et al.,2021;Losel et al.,2023;Schubnel et al.,2023;Windfelder et al.,2023;Vommaro et al.,2024;Zelinger et al.,2024).展开更多
Transglutaminase(TGase)is a key enzyme that mediates hemolymph coagulation and is thought to contribute to the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms in invertebrates.The objective of this study was to elucidate the...Transglutaminase(TGase)is a key enzyme that mediates hemolymph coagulation and is thought to contribute to the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms in invertebrates.The objective of this study was to elucidate the involvement of TGase in insect immune responses via functional analysis of this enzyme in the oriental armyworm,Mythimna separata,using recombinant proteins and RNA interference technique.We identified two TGase genes,mystgase1 and mystgase2,in Mythimna separata and found that both genes are expressed in all surveyed tissues in M.separata larvae.Significant changes were induced in hemocytes following Escherichia coli injection.Injection of Gram-positive bacteria(Micrococcus luteus)and Gram-negative bacteria(Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens)into larvae triggered a time-specific induction of both mystgase1 and mystgase2 in hemocytes.Recombinant MysTGase1 and MysTGase2 proteins bound to both E.coli and M.luteus,localizing within bacterial clusters and resulting in agglutination in a Ca^(2+)-dependent manner.The hemocytes of larvae injected with recombinant MysTGase1 or MysTGase2 exhibited enhanced phagocytic ability against E.coli,improved in vivo bacterial clearance,and increased resistance to S.marcescens,decreasing larval mortality rate.Conversely,RNA interference targeting mystgase1 or mystgase2 significantly reduced hemocyte phagocytic capability,decreased bacterial clearance,and increased susceptibility to S.marcescens infection,thereby increasing larval mortality rate.The findings of this study are anticipated to expand our understanding of the function of TGases within insect immune responses and may contribute to developing new pest control strategies.展开更多
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China Projects 32370550 and 32300385the Science Foundation of Hebei Normal University(L2023B21).
文摘Behavioral division is essential for the sustainability and reproduction of honeybee populations.While accumulating evidence has documented that antibiotic exposure interferes with bee behavioral divisions,how the gut microbiome,host physiology,and genetic regulation are implicated in this process remains understudied.Here,by constructing single-cohort colonies,we validated that the gut microbiota varied in composition between age-matched nurse and forager bees.Perturbing the gut microbiota with a low dose of antibiotic retained the gut bacterial size,but the structure of the microbial community continuously diverged from the control group after antibiotic treatment.Fewer foragers were observed in the antibiotic groups in the field experiment.A combinatorial effect of decreased gut metabolic gene repertoires,reduced brain neurotransmitter titers,and downregulated brain immune genes could potentially be related to behavioral tasks transition delay.This work indicates that the disturbance to both the gut microbiome and host physiologies after antibiotic exposure may have implications on social behavior development,highlighting the need for further research focusing on antibiotic pollution threatening the honeybee population's health.
基金supported from the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0116500)the Shen zhen Science and Technology Program(Grant No.KQTD20180411143628272)and Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program(ASTIP).
文摘The sweet potato weevil(Cylas formicarius)is a critical pest producing enor-mous global losses in sweet potato crops.Traditional pest management approaches for sweet potato weevil,primarily using chemical pesticides,causes pollution,food safety is-sues,and harming natural enemies.While RNA interference(RNAi)is a promising envi-ronmentally friendly approach to pest control,its efficacy in controlling the sweet potato weevil has not been extensively studied.In this study,we selected a potential target for controlling C.formicarius,the Troponin I gene(wupA),which is essential for muscula-ture composition and crucial for fundamental life activities.We determined that wupA is abundantly expressed throughout all developmental stages of the sweet potato weevil.We evaluated the efficiency of double-stranded RNAs in silencing the wupA gene via microinjection and oral feeding of sweet potato weevil larvae at different ages.Our find-ings demonstrate that both approaches significantly reduced the expression of wupA and produced high mortality.Moreover,the 1st instar larvae administered dswupA exhibited significant growth inhibition.We assessed the toxicity of dswupA on the no-target insect silkworm and assessed its safety.Our study indicates that wupA knockdown can inhibit the growth and development of C.formicarius and offer a potential target gene for envi-ronmentally friendly control.
基金supported by funds awarded to X.J.by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070506&32372542).
文摘Insects have to obtain sterols from food due to the inability to synthesize this essential nutrient de novo.For lepidopteran insects,they can convert a variety of phytosterols into cholesterol to meet their growth needs.The final step of the cholesterol biosynthesis is the metabolism of desmosterol catalyzed by 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase(DHCR24).In this study,we identified a DHCR24 homolog in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera,designated as H.armigera 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase(HaDHCR24)-1.The quantitative expression analyses indicated that HaDHCR24-1 was highly enriched in the midgut where dietary sterol uptake occurs.Compared to the control,the DHCR24-1 mutant larvae generated by clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 technology accumulated more desmosterol in the gut,while the content of cholesterol was significantly reduced.A similar phenomenon was observed when the DHCR24 inhibitor,amiodarone,was applied to the insects.Moreover,DHCR24-1 played an important role for the usage ofβ-sitosterol,a major sterol in plants,in H.armigera,and loss of function of DHCR24-1 resulted in higher mortality onβ-sitosterol.However,the DHCR24 homolog does not necessarily exist in the genomes of all insects.The loss of this gene occurred more frequently in the insects feeding on animals,which further support the role of DHCR24-1 in using phytosterols.This gene may have important potential in developing new strategies to control herbivory pests in Lepidoptera and other insect orders.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32172794 to S.-Q.X.and 32302817 to J.-F.Q.)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD to S.-Q.X.)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(KYCX23_3259 to R.-J.P)。
文摘Disruption of the circadian clock can affect starvation resistance,but the molecular mechanism is still unclear.Here,we found that starvation resistance was significantly reduced in the core gene BmPer deficient mutant silkworms(Per^(−/−)),but the mutant's starvation resistance increased with larval age.Under natural physiological conditions,the weight of mutant 5th instar larvae was significantly increased compared to wild type,and the accumulation ability of triglycerides and glycogen in the fat bodies was upregulated.However,under starvation conditions,the weight consumption of mutant larvae was increased and cholesterol utilization was intensified.Transcriptome analysis showed that beta-oxidation was significantly upregulated under starvation conditions,fatty acid synthesis was inhibited,and the expression levels of genes related to mitochondrial function were significantly changed.Further investigations revealed that the redox balance,which is closely related to mitochondrial metabolism,was altered in the fat bodies,the antioxidant level was increased,and the pentose phosphate pathway,the source of reducing power in cells,was activated.Our findings suggest that one of the reasons for the increased energy burden observed in mutants is the need to maintain a more robust redox balance in metabolic tissues.This necessitates the diversion of more glucose into the pentose phosphate pathway to ensure an adequate supply of reducing power.
基金supported in part by the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects(Qian Ke He Support[2023]General 477,Qian Ke He Ji Chu-ZK[2022]General 051)Scientific Research Foundation for Talent Introduced in Guizhou University[Gui Da Te Gang He Zi(2021)22].
文摘The greater wax moth,Galleria mellonella(Lepidoptera,Pyralidae),is a major bee pest that inflicts considerable harm on beehives,leading to economic losses.It also serves as a valuable resource insect and a model organism.The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9)system plays a crucial role in improving economic insect breeding and developing efficient agricultural pest management systems in Lepidoptera.However,the CRISPR/Cas9 protocols have not been developed for G.mellonella.Here,the Gmebony knockout(KO)strain was established using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system.We obtained Gmebony KO strain in the G4 generation,which took approximately 10 months.When compared with wild-type,the head,notum,and the terminal abdominal surface of 1st to 4th instar larvae in the KO strain changed from yellow to brown,and these regions of the KO strain gradually transformed into a black color from the 5th instar larvae,and the body color of the adult moth in the KO strain changed to black.The developmental period of the early larval and the following larval instars extended.The embryonic hatchability of the Gmebony KO strain was significantly decreased.The pupal body weight of the Gmebony KO strain was not affected.The feasibility of the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology was validated by single-target editing of Gmebony.Our findings provide the first evidence that the ebony gene can serve as a pigmentation reference gene for genetic modifications of G.mellonella.Meanwhile,it can be utilized in the development of genome editing control strategies and for gene function analyses in G.mellonella.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31830087 and 82261128003/2022YFML1001)the Key R&D Program of Guangdong Province(2022B1111030002)the National Institutes of Health,USA(AI136850)to X.-G.C.A.A.J.is a Donald Bren Professor at UCI.
文摘Aedes albopictus is an important vector of arboviruses and prefers small containers of stagnant water as oviposition sites.One of the mechanisms mosquitoes use to search for suitable oviposition sites is relying on odor cues from prospective sites and their surroundings.The genetic and molecular bases of this behavior are not known for Ae.albopictus.Oviposition site-searching behavior can be separated into 2 stages:container location and water detection.We applied a glue compound to the antennae and the maxillary palps of adult females to mask their ability to detect molecules that may guide them to preferred oviposition sites.Treatment of the antennae significantly reduces the location index(P<0.001),indicating a decreased ability to find oviposition sites,whereas no significant difference was observed in mosquitoes with maxillary palps treated with the same glue compound(P>0.05).The detection time,measured as the duration from contact with the water surface to the deposition of the first egg,was extended in mosquitoes with treated antennae or maxillary palps,supporting the conclusion that olfaction is involved in the detection of oviposition site.Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed olfactory-related genes,including obp67,obp56d-like,obp19d-like and obp67-like.RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated knockdown of obp67 and obp56d-like significantly affected the location index and detection time,respectively.Cas9/guide RNA-mediated knockout of obp56d-like resulted in a prolonged detection time,compared with the wild type(P<0.05).These findings help to elucidate aspects of the olfactory mechanisms involved in Ae.albopictus oviposition site selection,and provide a basis for the development of mosquito surveillance and control strategies.
基金financial support from IAEA CRP D42017(Improvement of Colony Management in insect Mass-Rearing for SIT Applications)Contract Number:22636,from the Medical Research Council of the UK through the Global Challenges Research Fund(grant number MR/P027873/1)Laboratory facilities from the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases(CRID),Yaoundé,Cameroon.
文摘Sterile Insect Technique(SIT)has proven effective to reduce tsetse population density in large infected areas where animal African trypanosomosis(AAT)and human African trypanosomiasis(HAT)elimination was difficult to achieve.However,the decrease in mass production of insectary-reared tsetse and the limited but incomplete knowledge on symbiont–trypanosome interaction over time,impede large-scale use of SIT.We investigated the spatiotemporal changes in symbiont prevalence and symbiont–trypanosome interactions in wild tsetse of Sora-Mboum AAT focus in northern Cameroon,collected in 2019 and 2020,to provide insights into the mass production of refractory tsetse.Spiroplasma spp.,Sodalis glossinidius and trypanosomes were screened with PCR.G.tachinoides was the most abundant Glossina species found in Sora-Mboum focus.Symbiont prevalences in G.tachinoides were higher in 2019 compared to 2020,from 67.6%to 53.5%for Spiroplasma spp.and from 28.8%to 8.1%for S.glossinidius.These symbionts were also found at higher prevalence in flies from Mouhoun HAT focus in Burkina Faso.Four trypanosome taxa(Trypanosoma congolense forest type,T.congolense savannah type,T.brucei s.l.,and T.vivax)were found in Sora-Mboum focus and Mouhoun focus,though at lower prevalence in Mouhoun.The presence of Spiroplasma spp.in adult tsetse was negatively associated with that of trypanosomes.Our study highlights the potential of Spiroplasma spp.as a good paratransgenesis candidate to enhance SIT application.This symbiont is naturally found in high proportions of tsetse and could prevent factory flies from acquiring and transmitting trypanosomes during their lifespan when released for population density control.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(31925007 and 32000333)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20221292).
文摘Lipids are an important energy source and are utilized as substrates for various physiological processes in insects.Comparative gene identification 58(CGI-58),also known asα/βhydrolase domain-containing 5(ABHD5),is a highly conserved and multifunctional gene involved in regulating lipid metabolism and cellular energy balance in many organisms.However,the biological functions of ABHD5 in insects are poorly understood.In the current study,we describe the identification and characterization of the ABHD5 gene in the lepidopteran model insect,Bombyx mori.The tissue expression profile investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)reveals that BmABHD5 is widely expressed in all tissues,with particularly high levels found in the midgut and testis.A binary transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system was employed to conduct a functional analysis of BmABHD5,with the mutation of BmABHD5 leading to the dysregulation of lipid metabolism and excessive lipid accumulation in the larval midgut.Histological and physiological analysis further reveals a significant accumulation of lipid droplets in the midgut of mutant larvae.RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analysis showed that genes related to metabolic pathways were significantly affected by the absence of BmABHD5.Altogether,our data prove that BmABHD5 plays an important role in regulating tissue-specific lipid metabolism in the silkworm midgut.
基金supported by the Ningbo Key Research and Development Plan and"Jie Bang Gua Shuai"Program(2022Z124)the Foreign Expert Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(G2023030035).
文摘Desiccant dusts have been shown to be effective materials in the management of bed bugs(Cimex spp.).Past research primarily focused on exploring the direct lethal effect of dusts against bed bugs,whereas information on their sublethal effects on bed bugs are limited.In this study,we evaluated the lethal effect of 3 dust products(Johnson's®Baby powder,Vazor DE powder^(TM),and CimeXaTM;abbreviated as Baby powder,DE,and TM CimeXa)against the tropical bed bug,Cimex hemipterus(F.),under laboratory conditions.Results showed that the 3 dust products caused 97%100%mortality to tropical bed bugs within 14 d,both in no-choice and choice experiments.However,in a brief exposure experiment(crossing a 2.5-cm-wide band),Baby powder exposure caused a significantly lower mortality(23%)than DE(88%)and CimeXa(100%).The more effective dusts(DE and CimeXa)were selected for further evaluation of their sublethal effects on C.hemipterus.DE and CimeXa caused significantly higher mortality(48%58%)through horizontal transfer than that of control(6%).Brief exposure to DE and CimeXa dusts did not affect tropical bed bug activity and their response to CO_(2).However,CimeXa-exposed tropical bed bugs exhibited reduced feeding and lowered survival rate after feeding.Moreover,both DE and CimeXa dust bands showed strong barrier effects on the crawling of tropical bed bugs.Our results indicate that both DE and CimeXa have great potential for preventing C.hemipterus from reaching protected areas and for controlling C.hemipterus.
基金funded by the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture,IAEA(CRP No.:D4.20.17),Vienna,Austria.
文摘The sterile insect technique(SIT)for tsetse involves releasing sterilized males to outcompete wild males in mating,resulting in nonviable progeny.Balancing optimum sterility and male quality is crucial.While irradiation in hypoxia or anoxia is routine for tephritid flies,its effect on tsetse,especially postrelease,is not well understood.We conducted experiments to understand the impact of irradiation in hypoxia on the sterility of the F1 generation of Glossina morsitans morsitans(Gmm).Initially,we tested the impact of 1-h preconditioning in hypoxia before irradiation and continued hypoxia up to 24,48,and 72 h postirradiation on the emergence and flight propensity of treated males.We then assessed mating ability,survival,pupae per initial female(PPIF)and residual fertility of flies following irradiation at various doses after 1-h hypoxia conditioning.Finally,we determined the PPIF and residual fertility of the F1generation and the emergence of treated flies to the F2 generation.Results show that short-term conditioning(1 h)in hypoxia maintains or improves the qualities of the irradiated Gmm pupae.Regardless of irradiation in normoxia or hypoxia,higher residual fertility was observed in females than males in the F0 generation,and higher residual fertility in the F1 than the F0 generation for both sexes.However,the emergence rates of males decreased in the F2 generation compared with the F1 generation,a noteworthy finding for SIT programs for tsetse,implying diminishing populations of sterile flies.
基金Particularly the FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Project"Colony management of insects for sterile insect technique application"allowed to exchange valuable information related to the study of key symbiont species associated to massproduced insectsFunding was provided by FAO/IAEA contract 22662funded through the ERASMUS+International mobility program KA107.
文摘The olive fruit fly(Bactrocera oleae)is a significant pest threatening olive production worldwide.Bactrocera oleae relies on symbiotic bacteria for nutrition,development,and adaptation to its environment.Among these,Candidatus Erwinia dacicola is the most dominant symbiont and plays a key role in the fly's physiology and ecological adaptation.Understanding the dynamics between B.oleae,Ca.E.dacicola,and other components of the B.oleae microbiome is essential for developing effective targeted area-wide pest management strategies.This study aims to leverage full 16S rRNA gene sequencing to enhance the characterization of microbiome diversity in wild B.oleae populations from different regions in Morocco:Ouezzane,Rabat,Tanger,Errachidia,and Beni-Mellal.The results revealed distinct microbiome compositions influenced by geographic locations,with Candidatus Erwinia dacicola as the dominant symbiont,followed by Erwinia persicina as a secondary contributor.Other bacterial taxa,including Asaia bogorensis,were also identified,highlighting the functional diversity within the olive fly microbiome.These findings provide insights into the microbial ecology of B.oleae,contributing to the development and enhancement of sustainable pest control strategies.
基金ZW,SK,and BASM were supported by graduate fellowships from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and SciencesThe development of target enrichment protocols in this study was supported by a NSF DDIG award(#1601356)to BDF and BASM.
文摘Dear Editor,Insect-fungal symbioses are fruitful testing grounds for examining coevolutionary theories,from host specificity(Stranda&Obrycki,1996;Rohrlich et al.,2018),arms-race scenarios(Pedrini et al.,2015;Stock et al.,2023),mutualisms(Aanen et al.,2002;Biedermann&Vega,2020)to biogeography(Zhang et al.,2014;Mueller et al.,2017).These investigations fundamentally depend on clarifying the systematics of both insect hosts and their fungal parasites,but the identities of many fungiparasitized insects are not well understood.This is because DNA from"zombie insect"tissues are invariably fragmented,and often overwhelmed by fungal mycelium(Fig.1,reviewed in Shang et al.,2015;Wang,&Wang,2017;Araujo&Hughes,2019).
文摘Insect pests threaten food security and food safety through losses caused to crops and livestock,the transmission of diseases to livestock and humans,and diminished trade-oriented production systems.The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations(FAO)estimates that insect pests reduce total agricultural output by 30%to 40%.The FAO further indicates that insect pest-derived losses are likely to increase with agricultural intensification and the globalization and international trade of agricultural commodities,the latter of which results in an increased movement of important invasive insect species.Finally,climate change may allow insect pests to invade and prosper in previously inhospitable habitats.
文摘Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) applications against major insect pests and disease vectors rely on the cost-effective production of high-quality sterile males. This largely depends on the optimal management of target pest colonies by maximizing the benefits provided by a genetically rich and pathogen-free mother colony, the presence of symbiotic microorganisms, and efficient domestication, mass-rearing, irradiation, and release processes. At the same time microbial (bacteria, fungi, microsporidia, and viruses) pathogen outbreaks should be minimized or eliminated, and the use of hazardous chemicals restricted. The optimization of the colony management strategies for different SIT target insects will ensure a standardized high-quality mass-rearing process and the cost-effective production of sterile males with enhanced field performance and male mating competitiveness. The aims of the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) were to develop best practices for insect colony management for the cost-effective production of high-quality sterile males for SIT applications against major insect pests and disease vectors through a multidisciplinary approach involving entomologists, geneticists, ecologists, microbiologists, pathologists, virologists, and mass-rearing experts.
文摘In the article"Multiple mating by both sexes in an invasive insect species,Aethina tumida(Coleoptera:Nitidulidae)"by A.Papach et al.(Insect Science,2023,30,517529,https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13112),the microsatellite loci used to determine multiple mating by females(Table 3)turned out to be all located on the sex X-chromosome(with the exception of B89,Evans et al.,2008;see Huang et al.,2023).Since males have only one copy of X chromosome,the estimates of multiple mating by females needs to be corrected as follows:(1)direct allele counts:the minimum number of sires for each family was the number of nonmaternal alleles at the locus with the most alleles;(2)COLONY software(Jones&Wang,2010):the settings were changed from diploid dioecious species to haplodiploid dioecious species(with males being haploid).
基金supported by the Key Research and Development Program(Modern Agriculture)of Zhenjiang City(NY2022005)the Qing Lan Project of Jiangsu Province(year of 2021)the Earmarked Fund for CARS-18,and the Postgraduate Research&Scientific Research Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(SJCX23_2232).
文摘There is abundant evidence that parasitoids manipulate their hosts by envenomation to support the development and survival of their progeny before oviposition.However,the specific mechanism underlying host nutritional manipulation remains largely unclear.To gain a more comprehensive insight into the effects induced by the gregarious ectoparasitoid Iseropus kuwanae(Hymenoptera:Ichneumonidae)on the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella(Lepidoptera:Pyralidae)larvae,we sequenced the transcriptome of both non-envenomed and envenomed G.mellonella larvae,specifically targeting genes related to lipid metabolism.The present study revealed that 202 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified and 9 DEGs were involved in lipid metabolism.The expression levels of these 9 DEGs relied on envenomation and the duration post-envenomation.Further,envenomation by I.kuwanae induced an increase in triglyceride(TG)level in the hemolymph of G.mellonella larvae.Furthermore,silencing GmPLA_(2) in G.mellonella larvae 24 h post-envenomation significantly decreased the content of 4 unsaturated fatty acids and TG levels in the hemolymph.The content of linoleic acid andα-linoleic acid were significantly decreased and the content of oleic acid was significantly increased by exogenous supplement of arachidonic acid.Meanwhile,the reduction in host lipid levels impairs the growth and development of wasp offspring.The present study provides valuable knowledge about the molecular mechanism of the nutritional interaction between parasitoids and their hosts and sheds light on the coevolution between parasitoids and host insects.
基金supported by the German Research Foundation(DFG Ha 6300/6-1)and by the Volkswagen Foundation with a Lichtenberg Professorship to JTHVB is supported by the Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities,Spain,within the Ramon y Cajal Program(RYC2021-032144-I).
文摘Dear Editor,The Eocene(ca.56–34 million years ago)has become an important time to study due to the global warming at the time(e.g.,Inglis et al.,2020;Agterhuis et al.,2022;Tierney et al.,2022;Setty et al.,2023),hence providing a comparison to modern climate change.The Eocene is also well known for spectacular fossils of the group Insecta,with flies,beetles,moths,and all their kin,not least due to exceptional preservation in differ-ent types of ambers,most well known the Baltic am-ber(Janzen,2002;Weitschat&Wichard,2002;Gröhn,2015).
基金supported by the Research Development Fund(RDF-23-01-067)the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship(SURF)Program(SURF-2023-0079)from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University to M.T.
文摘Wild bees are ecologically vital but increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities,leading to uncertain survival and health outcomes in urban environments.The gut microbiome contains features indicating host health and reflecting long-term evolutionary adaptation and acute reactions to real-time stressors.Moving beyond bacteria,we propose a comprehensive analysis integrating diet,bacteriome,virome,resistome,and their association to understand the survival status of urban lives better.We conducted a study on mason bees(Osmia excavata)across 10 urban agricultural sites in Suzhou,China,using shotgun gut metagenome sequencing for data derived from total gut DNA.Our findings revealed that most ingested pollen originated from Brassica crops and the unexpected garden tree Plantanus,indicating that floral resources at the 10 sites supported Osmia but with limited plant diversity.Varied city landscapes revealed site-specific flowers that all contributed to Osmia sustenance.The gut bacterial community,dominated by Gammaproteobacteria,showed remarkable structural stability across 8 sites but suggested perturbations at 2 sites.Antibiotic resistance gene profiles highly varied across 10 sites with prevalent unclassified drug classes,highlighting environmental threats to both bees and humans.The virome analysis identified honeybee pathogens,suggesting potential virus spillover.Many unknown bacteriophages were detected,some of which targeted the core gut bacteria,underscoring their role in maintaining gut homeostasis.These multifaceted metagenomic insights hold the potential to predict bee health and identify environmental threats,thereby guiding probiotic development and city management for effective bee conservation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32270460)the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program(No.2021xjkk0605)。
文摘Dear Editor,In past decades,research methods for studying insect morphology have been concentrated on static observation,mainly relying on light microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and laser confocal microscopy(Arens,1995;Zucker,2006;Lee et al.,2009).Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT)and 3-dimensional(3D)reconstruction techniques help researchers to better observe,analyze,and understand the insect morphology in larvae,pupae,and adults(e.g.facilitating 3D reconstruction and 2-dimensional[2D]virtual sectioning,and elucidating behavioral patterns)(Mattei et al.,2015;Donato et al.,2021;Rother et al.,2021;Losel et al.,2023;Schubnel et al.,2023;Windfelder et al.,2023;Vommaro et al.,2024;Zelinger et al.,2024).
基金supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science,KAKENHI[Grant Number JP17K08157].
文摘Transglutaminase(TGase)is a key enzyme that mediates hemolymph coagulation and is thought to contribute to the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms in invertebrates.The objective of this study was to elucidate the involvement of TGase in insect immune responses via functional analysis of this enzyme in the oriental armyworm,Mythimna separata,using recombinant proteins and RNA interference technique.We identified two TGase genes,mystgase1 and mystgase2,in Mythimna separata and found that both genes are expressed in all surveyed tissues in M.separata larvae.Significant changes were induced in hemocytes following Escherichia coli injection.Injection of Gram-positive bacteria(Micrococcus luteus)and Gram-negative bacteria(Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens)into larvae triggered a time-specific induction of both mystgase1 and mystgase2 in hemocytes.Recombinant MysTGase1 and MysTGase2 proteins bound to both E.coli and M.luteus,localizing within bacterial clusters and resulting in agglutination in a Ca^(2+)-dependent manner.The hemocytes of larvae injected with recombinant MysTGase1 or MysTGase2 exhibited enhanced phagocytic ability against E.coli,improved in vivo bacterial clearance,and increased resistance to S.marcescens,decreasing larval mortality rate.Conversely,RNA interference targeting mystgase1 or mystgase2 significantly reduced hemocyte phagocytic capability,decreased bacterial clearance,and increased susceptibility to S.marcescens infection,thereby increasing larval mortality rate.The findings of this study are anticipated to expand our understanding of the function of TGases within insect immune responses and may contribute to developing new pest control strategies.
