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Identification of Chemosensory Genes in the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)


Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, Jain University, Bengaluru 560 069, India
2 Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, India
 

Olfaction, one of the most significant sensations influencing insect behaviour, has been an efficient target for pest management. In this study, we analysed the antennal transcriptome of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. which is a predominant honeybee pest and is now becoming a potential threat to the global honeybee industry. A de novo antennal RNA-sequence assembly resulted in 24,683 unigenes and identified 24 odorant-binding proteins, 62 odorant receptors, 4 ionotropic receptors and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins. Additionally, seven antennal-binding proteins, six pheromone-binding proteins and seven general odorant-binding proteins were identified from G. mellonella. Phylogenetic analysis suggested majority of the genes be closely associated with orthologs from other lepidopteran species. The identification of candidate genes and functional annotation of the olfactory genes will facilitate future functional studies on chemoreception processes in this species and other lepidopterans. This study lays the groundwork for future research that might lead to cutting-edge approaches in pest management

Keywords

Chemosensory Genes, Galleria mellonella, Lepidopterans, Olfaction, Pest Management.
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  • Identification of Chemosensory Genes in the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

Abstract Views: 207  |  PDF Views: 133

Authors

Saravan Kumar Parepally
Department of Biochemistry, Jain University, Bengaluru 560 069, India
Gandham Krishnarao
Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, India
Meenal Vyas
Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, India
S. D. Divija
Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, India
P. D. Kamala Jayanthi
Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560 089, India

Abstract


Olfaction, one of the most significant sensations influencing insect behaviour, has been an efficient target for pest management. In this study, we analysed the antennal transcriptome of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. which is a predominant honeybee pest and is now becoming a potential threat to the global honeybee industry. A de novo antennal RNA-sequence assembly resulted in 24,683 unigenes and identified 24 odorant-binding proteins, 62 odorant receptors, 4 ionotropic receptors and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins. Additionally, seven antennal-binding proteins, six pheromone-binding proteins and seven general odorant-binding proteins were identified from G. mellonella. Phylogenetic analysis suggested majority of the genes be closely associated with orthologs from other lepidopteran species. The identification of candidate genes and functional annotation of the olfactory genes will facilitate future functional studies on chemoreception processes in this species and other lepidopterans. This study lays the groundwork for future research that might lead to cutting-edge approaches in pest management

Keywords


Chemosensory Genes, Galleria mellonella, Lepidopterans, Olfaction, Pest Management.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv124%2Fi4%2F505-512