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Video

10-Minute Paper

On-Demand

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

On-Demand 10-Minute Papers

Knockdown of genes regulating ecdysteroids synthesis and mortality from RNA interference in Asian citrus psyllid adults

On-Demand
On-Demand
RNA-interference (RNAi) offers a promising approach to targeting biological processes of insect pest vectors for suppressing their populations and associated diseases. The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is an economically important pest of citrus, and the vector of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), the causal agent of huanglongbing (HLB). dsRNAs delivered orally to teneral adult (≤7-d-old) of ACP were evaluated for causing knockdown of ATF4, C7, and D24 genes regulating biosynthesis of ecdysteroids, and mortality. Psyllids consumed dsRNA from a 20% sucrose solution and were evaluated for knockdown and mortality after 10-day post ingestion access (PIA). Expression of ATF4, C7 and D24 was significant reduced by 31, 22 and 32%, respectively, and mortality averaged 28, 31 and 42%, respectively, compared with the dsRNA luciferase control. The results justify further consideration of these three genes as dsRNA targets for developing a dsRNA biopesticide to suppress ACP and CLas for integrated management of this vector pathogen complex.