Characterization of Chitin Synthase A cDNA from Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Its Response to Diflubenzuron

Simple SummaryThe transcriptional level of chitin synthase A (DcCHSA) was investigated inDiaphorina citriKuwayama at various developmental stages and tissues in this work. The survival and molting ofD. citrinymphs were negatively impacted by high concentrations of DFB, which could also causeDcCHSAto express itself significantly. We also looked into how CHS knockout affected nymph development and eclosion. The findings revealed thatDcCHSAwas critical for the eclosion and molting ofD. citrinymphs. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation forD. citrimanagement in China.AbstractDiaphorina citriKuwayama is the vector of HLB and one of the most common pests in citrus orchards in southern China. One of the most significant genes inD. citri’s growth and development is the chitin synthase gene. In this study, the CHS gene (DcCHSA) ofD. citriwas cloned and analyzed by bioinformatics. According to RT-qPCR findings,DcCHSAwas expressed at many growth processes ofD. citri, with the greatest influence in the fifth-instar nymph. The molting failure rate and mortality ofD. citrirose as DFB concentration increased in this research, as did the expression level ofDcCHSA. Feeding onDcCHSAcaused a large drop in target gene expression, affected nymph molting, caused failure or even death in freshly eclosion adults, increased mortality, and reduced the molting success rate over time. These findings showed thatDcCHSAwas involved in nymph to adult development and may aid in the identification of molecular targets forD. citriregulation. It provided new ideas for further control ofD. citri.Keywords:Diaphorina citri;chitin;diflubenzuron;transcription level;RNA interference