Transcriptomics-Based Approach Identifies Spinosad-Associated Targets in the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Abstract

The Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata is an insect pest that threatens potato crops globally. The primary method to control its damage on potato plants is the use of insecticides, including imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole and spinosad. However, insecticide resistance has been frequently observed in Colorado potato beetles. The molecular targets and the basis of resistance to imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole have both been previously quantified. This work was undertaken with the overarching goal of better characterizing the molecular changes associated with spinosad exposure in this insect pest. Next-generation sequencing was conducted to identify transcripts that were differentially expressed between Colorado potato beetles exposed to spinosad versus control insects. Results showed several transcripts that exhibit different expression levels between the two conditions, including ones coding for venom carboxylesterase-6, chitinase 10, juvenile hormone esterase and multidrug resistance-associated protein 4. In addition, several microRNAs, such as miR-12-3p and miR-750-3p, were also modulated in the investigated conditions. Overall, this work reveals a molecular footprint underlying spinosad response in Colorado potato beetles and provides novel leads that could be targeted as part of RNAi-based approaches to control this insect pest.