Location: Biological Control of Insects Research
Project Number: 5070-22000-038-008-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2023
End Date: May 31, 2025
Objective:
The objectives of this project are: 1) to identify the odorant receptors that Western Corn Rootworm (WCR) larvae use to detect attractive volatile compounds produced by maize plants, and 2) to interfere with the ability of WCR larvae to detect these cues through RNAi-based knockdown of the odorant receptors that detect them.
Approach:
The first objective of this research is to identify the receptors that are expressed in WCR larvae that detect two odorant molecules produced by maize that are used by the larvae to locate the plants.
Odorant receptors will be cloned from WCR RNA and expressed in existing ARS insect cell lines via genetic engineering. The cell lines expressing WCR odorant receptors will be tested for responsiveness to volatiles previously shown to be produced by maize plants using established ARS assays.
Receptors found to respond to maize plant volatiles, especially those responding to the attractants (E)-'-caryophyllene and ethylene, will be targeted in RNAi experiments to test whether interference with odorant receptor function can block the ability of WCR larvae to locate maize plants. Larval WCR colonies currently maintained by ARS will be used in RNAi experiments, and gene knockdown experiments will be conducted using established dsRNA protocols. Impairment of attractant detection via dsRNA treatment of odorant receptors will be evaluated using traditional, two-choice behavioral assays in Y-tubes or wind tunnels.
