title: Bactrocera dorsalis male sterilization by targeted RNA interference of spermatogenesis: empowering sterile insect technique programs.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a genetic technique which has novel application for sustainable pest control. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) uses releases of mass-produced, sterile male insects to out-compete wild males for mates to reduce pest populations. RNAi sterilization of SIT males would have several advantages over radiation sterilization, but to achieve this appropriate target genes must first be identified and then targeted with interference technology. With this goal, eight spermatogenesis related candidate genes were cloned and tested for potential activity in Bactrocera dorsalis. The knockdown of candidate genes by oral delivery of dsRNAs did not influence the mating of male flies, but significantly affected the daily average number of eggs laid by females, and reduced egg hatching rate by 16-60%. RNAi negatively affected spermatozoa quantitatively and qualitatively. Following the mating of lola-/topi-/rac-/rho-/upd-/magu-silenced males, we recorded a significant decrease in number and length of spermatozoa in female spermatheca compared to gfp-silenced control group. In a greenhouse trial, the number of damaged oranges and B. dorsalis larvae were significantly reduced in a dsrho-treated group compared with the dsgfp group. This study provides strong evidence for the use RNAi in pest management, especially for the improvement of SIT against B. dorsalis and other species.
authors: Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
authors: Yong-Cheng
authors: YC
authors: Dong
authors: Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
authors: Zhi-Jian
authors: ZJ
authors: Wang
authors: Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
authors: Zhen-Zhong
authors: ZZ
authors: Chen
authors: School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), P.O. Box 2434, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia.
authors: Anthony R
authors: AR
authors: Clarke
authors: Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
authors: Chang-Ying
authors: CY
authors: Niu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D017344:Genes, Insect; D008297:Male; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D034622:RNA Interference; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D033621:Tephritidae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*