Journals
  Publication Years
  Keywords
Search within results Open Search
Please wait a minute...
For Selected: Toggle Thumbnails
Halloween genes AhCYP307A2 and AhCYP314A1 modulate last instar larva–pupa–adult transition, ovarian development and oogenesis in Agasicles hygrophila (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
JIN Ji-su, LIU Yi-ran, ZHOU Zhong-shi, WAN Fang-hao, GUO Jian-ying
2023, 22 (3): 812-824.   DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.021
Abstract204)      PDF in ScienceDirect      

In insects, ecdysteroids are synthesized by genes of the Halloween family and play important roles in several key developmental events, including molting and metamorphosis.  However, the roles of these genes in Agasicles hygrophila are still largely unknown.  In this study, the expression patterns of the two Halloween genes AhCYP307A2 and AhCYP314A1 were determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at different developmental stages.  Moreover, the functions of these two genes were explored using RNA interference (RNAi), and ovarian development was observed by dissecting the ovaries of Ahygrophila females.  The qPCR results showed that AhCYP307A2 and AhCYP314A1 were highly expressed in last instar larvae and in adult females.  In addition, AhCYP307A2 was also highly expressed in eggs and pupae but was markedly lower than in third-instar larvae and females.  The RNAi results showed that the injection of dsAhCYP307A2 or dsAhCYP314A1 markedly inhibited their expression and the transcription levels of three related AhVgs.  Knockdown of AhCYP307A2 or AhCYP314A1 significantly inhibited larval molting, impaired last instar larva–pupa–adult transition, delayed ovarian development, and stopped egg production (i.e., no eggs were laid).  These results indicate that AhCYP307A2 and AhCYP314A1 play important regulatory roles in last instar larva–pupa–adult transition and reproduction in Ahygrophila.

Reference | Related Articles | Metrics
Relationship between copulation and cold hardiness in Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
ZHAO Chen-chen, YUE Lei, WANG Yao, GUO Jian-ying, ZHOU Zhong-shi, WAN Fang-hao
2019, 18 (4): 900-906.   DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62591-8
Abstract228)      PDF (830KB)(245)      
Ophraella communa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), the ragweed leaf beetle, is a biological control agent of the invasive common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Asterales: Asteraceae).  Adults can survive cold conditions that occur during winter.  The adults mate before entering overwintering.  Understanding the connection between copulation and overwintering will be useful for determining O. communa seasonality.  Determining the relationship between overwintering and copulation required comparison of mated and unmated beetles at mean lethal temperature (LTemp50) exposures for 2 h.  Cold-related physiological indices, including the water ratio, super cooling point (SCP), cryoprotectant levels, and energy reserve levels, were also measured.  Mating treatment decreased the LTemp50 of both sexes by reducing their mean SCP and water ratios.  Although the changes of cryoprotectant levels in mated adults were not precisely consistent in between the genders, they increased greatly in both males and females.  Body sugar may play a role in copulation and may also elevate cold hardiness in O. communa
Reference | Related Articles | Metrics