Transcriptome Profiling of Euproctis pseudoconspersa Reveals Candidate Olfactory Genes for Type III Sex Pheromone...

The tea tussock moth (Euproctis pseudoconspersa) is a common tea plantation pest with Type III sex pheromone components (SPCs). However, the olfactory genes involved in the perception of Type III SPCs remain unknown. To identify the olfactory genes involved in E. pseudoconspersa olfactory perception, we sequenced the transcriptomes of different tissues from male and female moths. We identified 27 chemosensory proteins, 39 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), 28 ionotropic receptors (IRs), and 67 odorant receptors (ORs). Phylogenetic and antennal abundance analyses showed that EpseOR12, EpseOR13, EpseOR15, EpseOR16, and EpseOR18 belonged to the pheromone receptor clades of Type II moths, with predominant expression in male antennae. Besides these EpseORs, EpseOR14 and EpseOR32 were two of the most abundant EpseORs in male antennae, where they were predominantly expressed. Four pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) were identified, with higher expression in male antennae. EpseORs and EpsePBPs may be involved in Type III SPC detection. Additionally, a few EpseOBPs, EpseIRs, and EpseORs were predominantly expressed in either male or female antennae. These genes may play important roles in olfaction and may be involved in detecting host plant volatiles and pheromones. These results provide a foundation for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of E. pseudoconspersa olfaction.