An Optimized Small-Scale Rearing System to Support Embryonic Microinjection Protocols for Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.

ABSTRACT: Western corn rootworm (WCR), a major pest of corn, has been reared in laboratories since the 1960s. While established rearing methods are appropriate for maintaining WCR colonies, they are not optimal for performing germline transformation or CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing. Here we report the development of an optimized rearing system for use in WCR functional genomics research, specifically the development of a system that facilitates the collection of preblastoderm embryos for microinjection as well as gathering large larvae and pupae for downstream phenotypic screening. Further, transgenic-based experiments require stable and well-defined survival rates and the ability to manipulate insects at every life stage. In our system, the WCR life cycle (egg to adult) takes approximately 42 da

SUBMITTER: Chu FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10455090 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature