microRNAs shape social immunity: a potential target for biological control of the termite Reticulitermes chinensis

Abstract Eusocial insects can employ various behavioural and physiological disease defences to avoid, resist tolerate pathogen infections in their closely related packed colonies, termed social immunity. Recent studies have shown that several molecules serve insect immunity, including chemical odours, venoms, immune-related proteins, etc. However, whether how microRNAs (miRNAs), whose precursors are processed by Dicer-1 , drive immunity colonies is still unknown. Here, we used a ‘host–pathogen’ system (host: Reticulitermes chinensis ; pathogen: Metarhizium anisopliae ) explore the impact of miRNAs on termite colonies. We found RNAi-mediated silencing led decreased miRNA concentration, significantly inhibited carbohydrate energy metabolism affected other life processes, such as immune response oxidation–reduction reactions, whole body termite. In defence, diminished defensive behaviours locomotion, grooming, cannibalism burial groups when encountering fungal contamination. miR-71-5 stimulation resulted antifungal activities termites. Furthermore, both -silenced stimulant-treated exhibited high level mortality during Our findings demonstrated important role shaping providing insights necessary understand potential mechanisms underlying hence laying groundwork for miRNA-based pest control.