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Functional Redundancy of Odorant Receptors in α-Humulene Mediates Ovipositional Behavior of a Cosmopolitan Insect
Shuyuan Yao1,2,3,4, Xuanhao Chen1,2,3, Yi Chen1,2,3
1College of juncao Science and Ecology, College of Life Science, and State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
None:
Insects depend on sophisticated olfaction for survival. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), a devastating pest with rapid reproduction and insecticide resistance, requires novel control strategies. However, its odor recognition mechanisms, particularly for host-emitted α-Humulene, remain unclear. We investigated two odorant receptor genes, PxOR28 and PxOR31, which are highly expressed in female antennae. Cloning, qPCR, and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout demonstrated their essential role in mediating behavioral attraction to α-Humulene for oviposition. While α-Humulene activated wild-type antennae and attracted moths, mutants lacking both receptors exhibited no response, indicating functional redundancy. These findings elucidate P. xylostella's perception of α-Humulene and highlight chemosensory receptors or key odorants as targets for sustainable pest control.
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