AUTHOR=Li Xing-Cheng , Ma Yin-Chen , Long Jin , Yan Xiang , Peng Nan-Nan , Cai Cheng-Hui , Zhong Wen-Feng , Huang Yong-Biao , Qiao Xin , Zhou Li-Xiang , Cai Qiu-Chen , Cheng Chang-Xu , Zhou Gui-Fang , Han Yun-Feng , Liu Hong-Yu , Zhang Qi , Tang Hong-Mei , Meng Jiang-Hui , Luo Kai-Jun 

TITLE=Simulating immunosuppressive mechanism of Microplitis bicoloratus bracovirus coordinately fights Spodoptera frugiperda

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1289477

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1289477

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Parasitoid wasps control pests via a precise attack leading to the death of the pest. However, parasitoid larvae exhibit self-protection strategies against bracovirus-induced reactive oxygen species impairment. This has a detrimental effect on pest control. Here, we report a strategy for simulating <italic>Microplitis bicoloratus bracovirus</italic> using <italic>Mix-T</italic> dsRNA targeting 14 genes associated with transcription, translation, cell–cell communication, and humoral signaling pathways in the host, and from wasp extracellular superoxide dismutases. We implemented either one-time feeding to the younger instar larvae or spraying once on the corn leaves, to effectively control the invading pest <italic>Spodoptera frugiperda</italic>. This highlights the conserved principle of “biological pest control,” as elucidated by the triple interaction of parasitoid-bracovirus-host in a cooperation strategy of bracovirus against its pest host.</p>