New Host Record of Formicococcus polysperes Williams (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae): An Emerging Pest of Taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott from India

Halder, Jaydeep; Waluniba,; Joshi, Sunil; Jha, Aastik; B., A.

doi:10.1007/s40009-020-00883-6

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Both adults and crawlers suck the cell sap from the phloem of leaves, stems, twigs, flower buds, and young bolls, causing withering and yellowing of leaves, dieback, and even death of the whole plant. Over the years, mealybugs have caused significant economic loss worldwide, with reported crop losses reaching 52% in India resulting from infestation by Formicococcus polysperes Williams 8 , and in Kenya, papaya yield losses were estimated at 57% with an annual economic loss of US$3,009 per ha due to the papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink 9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatty acyl-CoA reductase influences wax biosynthesis in the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley

Tong

Wang

et al. 2022

Commun Biol

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Mealybugs are highly aggressive to a diversity of plants. The waxy layer covering the outermost part of the integument is an important protective defense of these pests. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying wax biosynthesis in mealybugs remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed multi-omics data on wax biosynthesis by the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, and found that a fatty acyl-CoA reductase (PsFAR) gene, which was highly expressed in the fat bodies of female mealybugs, contributed to wax biosynthesis by regulating the production of the dominant chemical components of wax, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). RNA interference (RNAi) against PsFAR by dsRNA microinjection and allowing mealybugs to feed on transgenic tobacco expressing target dsRNA resulted in a reduction of CHC contents in the waxy layer, and an increase in mealybug mortality under desiccation and deltamethrin treatments. In conclusion, PsFAR plays crucial roles in the wax biosynthesis of mealybugs, thereby contributing to their adaptation to water loss and insecticide stress.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%