Neuropeptide F Signaling Regulates Feeding and Male Fertility in Lymantria dispar

Neuropeptide F (NPF) plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in insects. In this study, the NPF and its receptor (NPFR) genes were successfully cloned from Lymantria dispar. It was confirmed that NPFR is located on the membrane of HEK293T cells and can be specifically activated by NPF. RNA interference-mediated silencing of the NPF/NPFR genes significantly inhibited larval feeding and growth, reduced carbohydrate and lipid reserves, and severely impaired male reproductive capacity by decreasing the number of normal sperm bundles and sperm motility. Exogenous injection of NPF-derived short peptides effectively promoted feeding behavior and increased nutrient accumulation. Our results suggest that the NPF signaling pathway during the larval stage not only regulates nutrient metabolism but also affects adult reproductive function. These findings provide an important theoretical basis for developing environmentally friendly pest control strategies targeting neuropeptide signaling.