To identify and compare the venom components and expression patterns of some bees/wasps, venom gland-specific transcriptome analyses were conducted for 14 Aculeate bees/wasps. Most of the allergens and pain-producing factors showed extremely high expression levels in social wasps, implying that social wasps have evolved to use venom to defend the colony against intruders. Acid phosphatase and tachykinin, which are known as allergens and neurotoxic peptides, were found with high frequencies in the venom glands of solitary wasps. This suggests that solitary wasps might use their venom for catching and preserving prey. In the venom glands of bumblebees, little or no transcripts of major allergens or pain producing factors were identified, implying that bumblebees venoms are relatively less toxic than those of social or solitary wasps. Taken together, the differential expression patterns of venom genes in some Aculeate bees/wasps implies that bees/wasps have unique groups of highly expressed venom components, which appear to have evolved in response to both ecological and behavioral influences.

When treating the 3rd instar larvae of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, with sublethal doses (LC10) of chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb and spinosad via leaf dipping, their tolerance to insecticides was significantly enhanced. By analyzing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we found a number of genes that respond commonly or specifically to the test insecticides. With the criteria of p value < 0.05 and Log2FC > 1/ < -1, a total of 476, 367 and 410 genes were determined to respond specifically to chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb and spinosad, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the cuticle reorganization is commonly associated in all treatments and the oxidative stress-related process is also shown in all insecticides except spinosad. Finally, the DEGs seemingly related with enhanced tolerance were chosen for further characterization, and reliability of the transcriptome data were confirmed by quantitative PCR. The functional categories of these DEGs included mostly detoxification related genes, cuticle proteins, energy metabolism and transcriptional regulation. While the commonly responding DEGs suggest that they are likely involved in defense against common intoxication process, the DEGs specifically responded to each insecticide suggests the presence of unique tolerance mechanisms to each insecticide depending on their different structure and mode of action. Their possible roles in the tolerance/resistance development were discussed.

Frankliniella occidentalis is a major pest in agriculture. Following overuse of insecticides, high resistance has developed due to its high reproduction rate and short generation time. To control the resistant strains of the thrips, the ingestion RNAi- based control was established. A total of 67 genes were selected, and their double-stranded RNAs (dsRNA) were delivered to thrips via the leaf disc-feeding method. Among the genes screened, the dsRNA of Toll-like receptor 6 (TLR6) and coatomer protein subunit epsilon (COPE) resulted in the highest mortality (3.8- and 2.8-fold faster LT50 compared to control, respectively) when ingested by thrips. The dsRNA-fed thrips showed 53% and 83% reduced transcription levels of TLR6 and COPE, respectively. This result demonstrates that the observed mortality of thrips following dsRNA ingestion was due to RNAi, and this lethal genes can be employed as a practical tool to control thrips in the field.