CRY1 is involved in the take-off behaviour of migratory Cnaphalocrocis medinalis individuals
Tianyi Sun,
Fan Yang,
Haiyan Zhang,
Yajun Yang,
Zhongxian Lu,
Baoping Zhai,
Hongxing Xu,
Jiahao Lu,
Yanhui Lu,
Yumeng Wang,
Jiawen Guo,
Gao Hu
Affiliations
Tianyi Sun
College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University
Fan Yang
Institute of Vegetables, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Haiyan Zhang
Station of Plant Protection and Plant Inspection, Agricultural Technology Extension Centre of Jiangyan District
Yajun Yang
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Zhongxian Lu
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Baoping Zhai
College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University
Hongxing Xu
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jiahao Lu
Songjiang Agriculture Technology Extension Centre
Yanhui Lu
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Yumeng Wang
College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University
Jiawen Guo
State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Gao Hu
College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University
Abstract Background Numerous insect species undertake long-distance migrations on an enormous scale, with great implications for ecosystems. Given that take-off is the point where it all starts, whether and how the external light and internal circadian rhythm are involved in regulating the take-off behaviour remains largely unknown. Herein, we explore this issue in a migratory pest, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, via behavioural observations and RNAi experiments. Results The results showed that C. medinalis moths took off under conditions where the light intensity gradually weakened to 0.1 lx during the afternoon or evening, and the take-off proportions under full spectrum or blue light were significantly higher than that under red and green light. The ultraviolet-A/blue light–sensitive type 1 cryptochrome gene (Cmedcry1) was significantly higher in take-off moths than that of non-take-off moths. In contrast, the expression of the light-insensitive CRY2 (Cmedcry2) and circadian genes (Cmedtim and Cmedper) showed no significant differences. After silencing Cmedcry1, the take-off proportion significantly decreased. Thus, Cmedcry1 is involved in the decrease in light intensity induced take-off behaviour in C. medinalis. Conclusions This study can help further explain the molecular mechanisms behind insect migration, especially light perception and signal transmission during take-off phases.
