@article{CHEN2026, 
author = {Qi CHEN and Ze-Xin ZHONG and Yi-Feng LU and Wei GUO and Chun-Xiao YANG and Hui-Peng PAN},
title = {Dietary RNAi mediated silencing of HvPP2A affects the survival and reproduction of the 28-spotted ladybeetle,  Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata},
year = {2026},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Entomology},
volume = {48},
number = {4},
pages = {1273-1281},
keywords = {Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, HvPP2A, RNA interference, survival, reproduction},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.3969/j.issn.1674-0858.2026.04.27},
doi = {10.3969/j.issn.1674-0858.2026.04.27},
abstract = {AimThis study investigated the impacts of silencing the serine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) gene on the survival and reproductive capabilities of the 28-spotted ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, through a dietary RNA interference (RNAi) method.MethodsThe expression patterns of HvPP2A were analyzed during different developmental stages (egg, 1st ~4th instar larvae, and adult) and in various tissues (cuticle, fat body, midgut, and Malpighian tubules) of the 4th instar larvae using RT-qPCR. The impact of the HvPP2A gene on larval survival, development, and gene expression was evaluated by feeding the 1st instar larvae with different concentrations of dsHvPP2A. Moreover, the effects of HvPP2A on the developmental and phenotypic characteristics, as well as the physiological functions of both the 3rd instar larvae and female adults, were evaluated following treatment with dsHvPP2A.ResultsThe study highlighted varying expression levels of HvPP2A across various developmental stages of H. vigintioctopunctata, with the highest expression detected in females. Notably, HvPP2A was predominantly expressed in the midgut among the analyzed tissues. The findings revealed a significant dose-dependent effect of dsHvPP2A on the mortality of the 1st instar larvae. Specifically, at a concentration of 50 ng/μL dsHvPP2A, the mortality rate of the 1st instar larvae reached 82.5%, escalating to 100% at higher concentrations of 100 ng/μL, 200 ng/μL, and 500 ng/μL. Furthermore, administering 100 ng/μL dsHvPP2A to the 3rd in instar larvae resulted in failure to molt and subsequent death. Additionally, feeding female adults with 1000 ng/μL dsHvPP2A inhibited ovarian development and egg production compared to the control group, preventing normal egg-laying.ConclusionThis investigation emphasizes the essential role of HvPP2A in the survival and reproduction of H. vigintioctopunctata, suggesting HvPP2A could be a promising target gene for RNAi-based management strategies in this species.}
}