Abstract RNA interference (RNAi)‐based pesticides show considerable potential for sustainable agriculture due to their high target specificity and environmental safety. The integration of nanocarrier‐mediated delivery can substantially improve gene‐silencing efficiency and has therefore become a major focus of research. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed publications concerning nanocarrier‐delivered RNAi pesticides (NDRPs) indexed in the Web of Science from the inception of the field through 2025. Analysis of 215 publications revealed that NDRPs have been investigated in insects, fungi, oomycetes, mites, ticks, viruses, nematodes, and plants, with insects being the most extensively studied group. The star polycation (SPc), chitosan (CS), lipid‐based, and carbon‐based materials were the most effective nanomaterials, applied to 50 out of 61 insect species, with SPc and CS being the most widely used. The genes most frequently targeted encoded chitin synthase, cytochrome P450, and vacuolar ATPase. However, complete pest mortality has rarely been achieved using nanocarrier‐delivered RNAi. Fungi and oomycetes represented another well‐studied group, against which layered double hydroxide nanosheets and carbon dot nanoparticles were widely and effectively applied. We further discuss strategies for selecting target genes and nanocarriers, current challenges, including stability under field conditions and regulatory barriers, and future research directions, such as the integration of multiple synergistic approaches. These findings provide valuable guidance for advancing NDRP research and practical applications.
Residual nicosulfuron in soil can induce persistent phytotoxic effects on subsequent soybean (Glycine max L.) crops, yet the physiological trajectory from early stress to photosynthetic collapse remains unclear. Here, we established a multimodal phenotyping framework that integrates hyperspectral reflectance, ultraviolet-excited multichannel fluorescence, and chlorophyll fluorescence quenching imaging to capture stage-specific soybean responses under nicosulfuron stress. Early pigment disruption was marked by a 12.3% decrease in the chlorophyll index 3, while metabolic activation was indicated by an increase in fluorescence at 450 nm to 3.26 ± 0.16 at 100 μg/kg, compared to 2.05 ± 0.05 in the control group. These were followed by photosystem II (PSII) dysfunction, including a decline in the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII under light adaptation (Fv/Fm_Lss) from 0.71 to 0.37, a 102% increase in non-photochemical quenching under light adaptation (NPQ_Lss), and a 38% reduction in maximum fluorescence under light adaptation (Fm_Lss), reflecting photosystem disintegration. Such impairments culminated in a marked elevation of the Integrated Biomarker Response version 2. This study identifies a distinct injury-regulation-collapse pathway and phase-specific markers, while the integrated imaging approach enables earlier, non-invasive detection and dynamic monitoring, providing a mechanistic basis for risk assessment in herbicide-impacted rotation systems.
The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by controlling diverse pests, but insect innate immunity hinders its efficacy by impeding spore germination. GameXPeptide (GXP), a metabolite derived from entomopathogenic nematode symbiotic bacteria, suppresses insect immunity, yet its interaction with entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) remained unstudied. This study demonstrates that GXP enhances the efficacy of M. anisopliae against cotton aphids, as evidenced by laboratory bioassays, metabolomic profiling, and experimental investigations. Our results reveal that GXP does not have any adverse effects on the fungus. However, the combined application of GXP and M. anisopliae significantly increases the mortality rate of cotton aphids. Furthermore, our findings indicate that this synergistic interaction notably influences the metabolic processes of cotton aphids. Notably, there is a significant decrease in purine metabolism compared to that in aphids infected solely by M. anisopliae. This alteration in purine metabolism could potentially account for the observed reduction in melanization in aphids infected by the fungus in the presence of GXP. In summary, our results highlight that the combined effect of GXP and M. anisopliae enhances the virulence of the fungus against cotton aphids by modulating their metabolism and immune responses. This study is the first to demonstrate that GXP can enhance the virulence of M. anisopliae against cotton aphids. These findings provide a novel strategy for improving biopesticide efficacy in sustainable agriculture.
The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is a globally significant internal-feeding pest of apple and other pome fruits, yet its cryptic larval behavior poses challenges to conventional control strategies. To identify effective feeding stimulants for manipulating larval-stage behavior, we established an integrative pipeline combining large-scale transcriptomic profiling, in silico receptor-ligand docking, and behavioral assays. Based on transcriptomes spanning 10 tissues and 21 developmental stages, we annotated 59 gustatory receptors (GRs) (CpomGRs) and 53 ionotropic receptors (CpomIRs). Candidates enriched in chemosensory tissues and larval stages were selected for structural modeling. Computational docking of 117 apple-related metabolites against selected receptors identified high-affinity interactions, particularly between sugar compounds and GRs/IRs. Behavioral feeding assays confirmed that isoquercitrin, a flavonoid glycoside, significantly enhanced larval feeding in a dose-dependent manner, with 1‰ concentration yielding effects comparable to a full sugar mixture. This study demonstrates the utility of transcriptome-guided in silico screening for discovering behaviorally active tastants and provides a foundation for developing bait-based control strategies targeting codling moth larvae. The approach outlined here offers a scalable framework for identifying chemosensory targets and feeding stimulants in other cryptic insect pests.
Abstract Autophagy, as a crucial intracellular degradation mechanism, plays an indispensable role in maintaining insect–microbe symbiosis through bidirectional regulation. Microorganisms can inhibit insect autophagy to facilitate their colonization and proliferation by activating the target of rapamycin pathway and suppressing Atg gene expression. Alternatively, they can induce autophagy to promote host nutrient absorption by activating the AMPK pathway and secreting effector molecules. Insects, in turn, utilize autophagy to clear excessively proliferating symbionts and invading pathogens while selectively retaining beneficial symbiotic bacteria through specific mechanisms. The functions of autophagy in nutrient exchange, immune defense, and developmental regulation provide an important theoretical basis for elucidating the evolution and stability of insect–microbe symbiotic relationships. Future research should focus on nonmodel insects, the cross‐regulation between autophagy and other cellular processes, autophagy mechanisms from an evolutionary biology perspective, and the application prospects in pest control and beneficial insect cultivation.
