Dual targeting of the ecdysone receptor complex enhances RNAi efficacy through impairment of both development and reproduction in the Colorado potato beetle
ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1127/entomologia/4240
- Dergi Adı: ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALIS
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The declining and variable efficiency of RNA interference (RNAi) reported in some pest insects highlights the need for multi-target strategies that may improve silencing performance and provide more robust control than single-gene approaches. In this study, we examined the combined effects of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) targeting the ultraspiracle protein (USP) and ecdysone receptor (EcR) genes in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). dsRNAs were synthesized using an L4440 vector in Escherichia coli HT115 strain and orally delivered through treated foliage. Individual dsUSP and dsEcR treatments were compared with their combined treatment. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences among treatments across all larval instars, with the combined dsUSP & times;EcR treatment producing the lowest survival across all stages. In addition to reduced survival, larvae treated with the combined dsRNA treatment exhibited significantly lower weight gain, decreased foliage consumption, and developmental abnormalities relative to controls. Adults fed with dsRNA-treated leaves produced far fewer eggs, with mean egg numbers declining to 16.53 compared to over 130 in controls, and egg viability reduced to approximately 13.91%. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed strong downregulation of target transcripts across all larval instars, with the combined treatment providing the most consistent reduction to very low expression levels. Under these laboratory feeding conditions, concurrent targeting of USP and EcR enhanced the biological effects of RNAi and disrupted key developmental and reproductive processes. These findings support further investigation of dual-target RNAi as a candidate approach for nucleic acid-based pest management against L. decemlineata.