The striped fruit fly (SFF), Zeugodacus scutellata, is an agricultural pest species with a strong and rapid reproductive ability that can cause significant harm. To control the population of these kind of pests, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is being used as one of the effective methods. SIT involves the introduction of sexually transmitted factors that reduce the reproductive capacity of males. This study shows that knocking down the testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (Zs-Tssk1) gene alters male fertility and male-initiated types of communication. Since Zs-Tssk1 influences the physiology of the testes, spermatogenesis is also affected, which in turn alters the lifespan of Zs-Tssk1 knock down group in comparison with the control. Based on these results, Zs-Tssk1 may be crucial in reproductive function, and its down-regulation may be helpful in controlling SFF through SIT.

• Gokulanathan Anandapadmanaban(Plant Quarantine Technology Center, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon) Corresponding author
• Hyoung-ho Mo(Plant Quarantine Technology Center, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon)
• Youngjin Park(Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong)
• Heung-sik Lee(Plant Quarantine Technology Center, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon)