Mode of action of an insecticide inhibiting lipid biosynthesis on biological parameters of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae)
Asian citrus psyllid, Greening; insecticides; chemical control; transcriptomics
Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is considered the primary pest associated with citrus crops, acting as a vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter, which is linked to Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, the most severe disease affecting citrus worldwide, including in Brazil. The management of this pest relies mainly on chemical control, highlighting the need to better understand the modes of action of the insecticides used, as well as their physiological, reproductive, and molecular effects, particularly in light of the risk of resistance development. In this context, insecticides that inhibit acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), an essential enzyme in lipid biosynthesis, have emerged as a promising alternative for vector control. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the reproductive effects and transcriptomic responses of D. citri exposed to an ACCase-inhibiting insecticide. Four bioassays will be conducted, testing four insecticide doses under four conditions: (i) exposure of adults during the pre-oviposition phase after the drying of treated leaves, and (ii) exposure of adults immediately after insecticide application, considering both newly emerged and mature adults. Each experimental unit will consist of 10 pairs of D. citri, and reproductive parameters such as fecundity and egg fertility will be evaluated at different time points after treatment. The study will be carried out under controlled conditions of 26 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 70 ± 10%, and a photoperiod of 14 h light and 10 h dark. Based on the bioassay results, adults exposed to the insecticide dose showing the most significant effects on egg viability and number, as well as effective control, will be selected for transcriptomic analyses. These analyses will include RNA extraction, sequencing using the Illumina platform, and identification of differentially expressed genes. The results will enable the identification of gene expression patterns related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolic processes essential for insect reproduction. This study contributes to a better understanding of the reproductive and molecular effects of ACCase-inhibiting insecticides on D. citri, providing scientific support for the development of more efficient and sustainable pest management strategies.