Sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on immunity in Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Promote encapsulation by upregulating a heat shock protein 70 family gene SfHSP68.1

Abstract

As an agricultural pest, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, poses a severe threat to agriculture in China. Chlorantraniliprole has been widely used to control this pest. In our previous studies, we discovered that LD₁₀, LD₂₀, and LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole promoted encapsulation in the 4th instar larvae of the FAW, with LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole having the most significant effect. To further investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on encapsulation in the FAW, this study conducted the effects of encapsulation in 4th instar larvae of the FAW exposed to LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole. Then, we analyzed the transcriptome of the FAW hemolymph treated with LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole and identified genes related to encapsulation using RNAi. Our results showed that the encapsulation in the FAW was enhanced at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 48 h after exposure to LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole. Additionally, LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole significantly affected the expression of certain immune-related genes, with the heat shock protein 70 family gene SfHSP68.1 showing the most significant upregulation. Subsequent interference with SfHSP68.1 resulted in a significant inhibition of encapsulation in FAW. These findings suggested that LD₃₀ chlorantraniliprole can promote encapsulation in the FAW by upregulating SfHSP68.1 expression. This study provides valuable insights into the sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on encapsulation in the FAW and the interaction between encapsulation and heat shock proteins (HSPs).

Keywords: Chlorantraniliprole; Encapsulation; Heat shock protein 70; RNA interference; Sublethal effects; Transcriptomics.