Molecular mechanisms and comparative transcriptomics of diapause in two corn rootworm species (Diabrotica spp.).

ABSTRACT: Diapause is a programmed developmental arrest that can occur at any developmental stage depending on species, but the mechanisms that underscore embryonic diapause are poorly understood. Here, we identified molecular mechanisms underscoring distinct phases of diapause in the Diabrotica spp. complex. This species complex includes economically significant agricultural pests, notably the western corn rootworm (WCR) and northern corn rootworm (NCR), which cause major losses in maize production. Rootworms undergo an obligate embryonic diapause to synchronize their life cycles with host plants, and we sequenced transcriptomes from both species at five time points (pre-diapause, diapause initiation, diapause maintenance, diapause termination, and post-diapause). Our results indicate that t

SUBMITTER: Lecheta MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11786089 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature