Omics in the Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A Bridge to the Pest

Abstract

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most devastating pest of palm trees worldwide. Mitigation of the economic and biodiversity impact it causes is an international priority that could be greatly aided by a better understanding of its biology and genetics. Despite its relevance, the biology of the RPW remains poorly understood, and research on management strategies often focuses on outdated empirical methods that produce sub-optimal results. With the development of omics approaches in genetic research, new avenues for pest control are becoming increasingly feasible. For example, genetic engineering approaches become available once a species’s target genes are well characterized in terms of their sequence, but also population variability, epistatic interactions, and more. In the last few years alone, there have been major advances in omics studies of the RPW. Multiple draft genomes are currently available, along with short and long-read transcriptomes, and metagenomes, which have facilitated the identification of genes of interest to the RPW scientific community. This review describes omics approaches previously applied to RPW research, highlights findings that could be impactful for pest management, and emphasizes future opportunities and challenges in this area of research.

Near-chromosomal-level genome of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), a potential resource for genome-based pest control

“…2 ). The final assembled genome size is ~2 -~36% higher than the estimated genome size; the discrepancy between the estimated genome size and assembled genome size happened due to the complexity and heterozygosity nature of the RPW genome 12 , 14 . But the assembled genome size is almost same size of the previously reported genome size 11 .…”

“…2a ). The observed discrepancies in the estimated genome size could potentially be attributed to the heterozygosity and complex organization of the RPW genome 12 , 14 (Supplementary Fig. 1a and 1b ).…”

“…To improve genome contiguity and completeness of the RPW reference genome, a chromosomal-level reference assembly is required. Such a chromosome assembly will provide an important and complete resource to study RPW diversity, genomic variation, molecular evolution, and environmental adaptation, which could eventually lead to molecular genetic-based pest control 7 , 8 , 14 . In this study, we report a near-chromosomal-level genome assembly of RPW 15 , achieved using both PacBio HiFi and Illumina based Omini-C data 16 .…”

A Review on Digestive System of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus as Potential Target to Develop Control Strategies

“…To further investigate the microbiota present in the gut of beetles, especially RPW, various approaches involving metagenomic studies can be utilized [ 34 ]. Some of the approaches are 16S rRNA gene sequencing [ 35 ], shotgun metagenomics [ 36 ] and metatranscriptomics [ 37 ].…”

Exploring Ocimum basilicum’s Secondary Metabolites: Inhibition and Molecular Docking against Rhynchophorus ferrugineus for Optimal Action

“…R. ferrugineus (Oliver) is a harmful phytophagous pest. It was originally discovered along the Gulf Coast toward the tail end of the 20th century, causing major damage to palm trees; subsequently, it began to spread and greatly affected other places [ 1 , 2 ]. Over the last several decades, it has extended to numerous locations, infecting Middle Eastern nations and certain sections of the Mediterranean, North Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean [ 3 , 4 ].…”