Li Qianqian, Yang Fan, Zheng Renwen, Chen Zihan, Zhang Jinhui, Lu Sihan, Peng Jun, Liu Yue, Huang Dongyan, Shen Yangjunlu, Liu Cui, Tang Qingfeng
School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
Key Laboratory of Agri-products Quality and Biosafety (Anhui Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230036, China.
Bull Entomol Res. 2025 Aug;115(4):524-535. doi: 10.1017/S0007485325100084.
The fall armyworm, (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a highly destructive polyvorous pest with a wide host range and the ability to feed continuously with seasonal changes. This destructive pest significantly damages crops and can also utilize non-agricultural plants, such as weeds, as alternative hosts. However, the adaptation mechanisms of when switching between crop and non-crop hosts remain poorly understood, posing challenges for effective monitoring and integrated pest management strategies. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the adaptability of to different host plants. Results showed that corn () was more suitable for the growth and development of than wheat () and goosegrass (). Transcriptome analysis identified 699 genes differentially expressed when fed on corn, wheat, and goosegrass. The analysis indicated that the detoxification metabolic pathway may be related to host adaptability. We identified only one gene within the GST family and investigated its functional role across different developmental stages and tissues by analysing its spatial and temporal expression patterns. The gene expression in the midgut of larvae significantly decreased following RNA interference. Further, the dsRNA-fed larvae exhibited a decreased detoxification ability, higher mortality, and reduced larval weight. The findings highlight the crucial role of in host plant adaptation. Evaluating the feeding preferences of is significant for controlling important agricultural pests.
草地贪夜蛾，学名Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)（鳞翅目：夜蛾科），是一种极具破坏性的多食性害虫，寄主范围广泛，能够随季节变化持续取食。这种破坏性害虫会严重损害农作物，还能利用杂草等非农作物植物作为替代寄主。然而，草地贪夜蛾在作物寄主和非作物寄主之间转换时的适应机制仍知之甚少，这给有效的监测和害虫综合管理策略带来了挑战。因此，本研究旨在阐明草地贪夜蛾对不同寄主植物的适应性。结果表明，玉米（Zea mays）比小麦（Triticum aestivum）和马唐（Digitaria sanguinalis）更适合草地贪夜蛾的生长发育。转录组分析确定了草地贪夜蛾取食玉米、小麦和马唐时699个差异表达基因。分析表明，解毒代谢途径可能与寄主适应性有关。我们在谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST）家族中仅鉴定出一个GST基因，并通过分析其时空表达模式研究了该基因在不同发育阶段和组织中的功能作用。RNA干扰后，幼虫中肠中的GST基因表达显著下降。此外，喂食dsRNA的幼虫解毒能力下降、死亡率升高且幼虫体重减轻。这些发现突出了GST在寄主植物适应性中的关键作用。评估草地贪夜蛾的取食偏好对控制重要农业害虫具有重要意义。
