Abstract
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a devastating invasive insect herbivore. Its success on its preferred host plant, maize (Zea mays), is supported by numerous specialized detoxification mechanisms that suppress the defense responses of maize. In this study, we used a resistant Chinese maize cultivar, Xi502, which showed slower growth and lower yield-related phenotypes compare with maize inbred line B73. Comparative transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that B73-fed fall armyworm larvae have a significantly faster transcriptomic re-configuration toward maturation compared to their siblings fed with Xi502 leaves, whereas a number of putative aromatic breakdown -related DEGs were specifically induced when feeding on Xi502. Targeted metabolomic quantification demonstrated that Xi502 contains significantly higher levels of various benzoxazinoid compounds. Artificial feeding with the structural analog of a benzoxazinoid compound preferentially accumulated in Xi502 demonstrated a significant growth inhibition effect on FAW larvae. These results provide important genetic material and preliminary evidence for further dissection of the FAW-resistance mechanism in maize.
Highlights
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) is a lepidopteran herbivore originating from tropical and subtropical regions of America that specializes in feeding on maize (Zea mays)
In the Americas, the area from which this insect originated, the FAW is successfully controlled by the prevalent use of transgenic maize producing various Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein toxins [2], whereas synthetic pesticides and agronomic practices have been deployed in regions with limited access to transgenic crops [3,4]
In the last thirty years, a number of FAW-resistant maize genotypes have been identified in field tests, but few have been further studied for their resistance mechanisms [11,12,13,14,15]
Summary
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) is a lepidopteran herbivore originating from tropical and subtropical regions of America that specializes in feeding on maize (Zea mays). The most common maize benzoxazinoid compound 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one glucoside (DIMBOA-Glc), is neither deterring nor toxic to FAW larvae, though it is effective against other Spodoptera species [19].
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