Topical RNA Interference Induces Mortality in the Cotton-Melon Aphid <i>Aphis gossypii</i> with No Adverse Effect on the Predator <i>Propylea japonica</i>.

ABSTRACT: The cotton-melon aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover), a globally distributed polyphagous pest, primarily infests cucurbit crops and leads to significant reductions in both crop yield and quality. Overreliance on chemical insecticides has resulted in widespread resistance development, highlighting the urgent requirement for alternative control strategies. This study evaluates the potential of topical RNA interference (RNAi) for managing cotton-melon aphids. We first analyzed instar-specific expression profiles of four candidate RNAi target genes (ATPE, IAP, Cat, and ilvE), employed topical dsRNA delivery to silence these genes, and subsequently evaluated their effects on aphid mortality, growth rates, and reproductive capacity. Furthermore, we investigated the n

SUBMITTER: Zhan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11943396 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature