RNA interference with allatoregulating neuropeptide genes affecting circadian rhythm, development, mating and reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Juvenile hormones (JHs) have juvenoid functions but also act as a true gonadotropin in the Lepidoptera. JHs are released by the corpora allata (CA) into the hemolymph, which are under allatotropic and allatostatic neuropeptide control as well as under somatic and environmental stimulus. Two types of allatostatins (Spofr-AS type Manse-AS and Spofr-AS type A or FGLamides) and two allatotropins (Spofr-AT 1 or Manse-AT and Spofr-AT 2) were identified and cloned from Spodoptera frugiperda. Their functions were already investigated in our laboratory. Most of these peptides are pleiotropic in function but their specific roles in the various developmental stages of S. frugiperda are still unclear. My work mainly emphasizes on the AT 1 gene function on JH and ecdysteroid titers in the hemolymph of larvae and adults as well as on females’ and males’ reproductive tissues and on the daily egg rate of the females. Studies were carried out by knockdown of the AT 1 gene using RNA interference. My results show a significant role of this neuropeptide on the circadian rhythm of prepupal commitment and metamorphosis, but also on the profile of egg laying and the number of deposited eggs. In general, Spofr-AT 1 acts as a true allatotropin in larvae and adults, but its functions may be substituted, at least in part, by Spofr-AT 2. Silencing of Spofr-AT 1 and AS type A genes in males supported either allatotropic or allatostatic actions on the accessory glands (AGs) of the males, but had no effect on the JH transferred to the female bursa copulatrix (BC) during mating, nor on the fertility of the females.
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