Characterization of Chitin Synthase B Gene () and the Effects on Feeding Behavior in Moore.

The chitin synthase B gene is a key enzyme in the chitin synthesis of insect peritrophic matrix (PM), which affects insects' feeding behavior. The chitin synthase B gene was cloned from the transcription library of Moore. RT-qPCR showed that was highly expressed in the larval stage of , especially on the first day of the pre-pupal stage, as well as in the midgut of larvae and the abdomen of adults. After starvation treatment, was found to be significantly inhibited over time. After 48 h of starvation, the feeding experiment showed that increased with the prolongation of the re-feeding time. The experimental data showed that feeding affected the expression of . was effectively silenced via RNA interference; thus, its function was lost, significantly decreasing the survival rate of . The survival rate from larval-to-pupal stages was only 43.33%, and this rate was accompanied by abnormal phenotypes. It can be seen that plays a key role in the average growth and development of .