Ingestion of bacteria expressing dsRNA to maggots produces severe mortality and deformities in fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract Background The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is the world’s most damaging (30–100%) pest infesting important fruits and vegetables. Its control highly challenging due to its polyphagous, multivoltine nature, unexposed developmental stages. No known fly-resistant guava germplasm reported so far worldwide. RNAi approach in against fly can provide an attractive alternative overcome this problem. Main body Escherichia coli -based dsRNA expression strategy was used investigate potential of B. via targeting two vital genes, ecr (ecdysone receptor) rpl19 (a ribosomal protein L19). Effects feeding E. , HT115 (DE3) expressing Bdecr Bdrpl19 with artificial diet maggots resulted severe mortality deformities treated maggots, emerged pupae, adults. Total (including deformity) adult flies 86.3% 87.9% highest 700 μl (× 200 3.5 × 10 8 cells) dsRNAs bacterial treatment respectively, compared 350 treatments. Severe defects terms changes like melanisation absence wings, underdeveloped abdomen/absence complete abdomen, legs, severely curled malformed incomplete eclosion, suppression these target genes were observed Short conclusion study provides a proof concept feasibility silence by bacteria all stages step further perform RNAi-based control.