Journal article 723 views 63 downloads
A narrow host-range and lack of persistence in two non-target insect species of a bacterial symbiont exploited to deliver insecticidal RNAi in Western Flower Thrips
,
Qi Xue,
Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning,
Reuben James,
Guy Smagghe,
Ricardo del Sol,
Matthew Hitchings ,
Paul Dyson
Frontiers in Insect Science, Volume: 3
Swansea University Authors:
Miranda Walker (neeWhitten) , Reuben James, Matthew Hitchings , Paul Dyson
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DOI (Published version): 10.3389/finsc.2023.1093970
Abstract
Insecticidal RNAi is a targeted pest insect population control measure. The specificity of insecticidal RNAi can theoretically be enhanced by using symbiotic bacteria with a narrow host range to deliver RNAi, an approach termed symbiont-mediated RNAi (SMR), a technology we have previously demonstrat...
| Published in: | Frontiers in Insect Science |
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| ISSN: | 2673-8600 |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2023
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62479 |
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| Abstract: |
Insecticidal RNAi is a targeted pest insect population control measure. The specificity of insecticidal RNAi can theoretically be enhanced by using symbiotic bacteria with a narrow host range to deliver RNAi, an approach termed symbiont-mediated RNAi (SMR), a technology we have previously demonstrated in the globally-invasive pest species Western Flower Thrips (WFT). Here we determine a very limited distribution of the two predominant bacterial symbionts of WFT, BFo1 and BFo2, among genome-sequenced insects. Moreover, we have challenged two non-target insect species with both bacterial species, namely the pollinating European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, and an insect predator of WFT, the pirate bug Orius laevigatus. Our data indicate that whereas BFo1 could establish itself in both these non-natural hosts, albeit with no significant effects on insect fitness, BFo2 was unable to persist in either species. In terms of biosafety, these data, together with its more specific growth requirements, vindicate the choice of BFo2 for delivery of RNAi and precision pest management of WFT. |
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| Keywords: |
symbiotic bacteria, Host-range, Western flower thrips, European bumblebee, Pirate bug |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
BB/R006148/1 |