Genome-wide analysis of detoxification genes conferring diamide insecticide resistance in Spodoptera exigua identifies CYP9A40

For over a decade, diamide insecticides have been effective against lepidopteran pests like beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, 1808). However, the evolution of resistance poses a challenge to their sustainable use. We identified an I4790 M mutation in the S. exigua ryanodine receptor (RyR) gene, but its correlation with resistance varied across the field-collected Korean populations of S. exigua. RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were performed to investigate other resistance mechanisms. Diamide-resistant and susceptible strains and F1 hybrids were compared by mapping RNA-seq reads to the S. exigua reference genome. CYP9A40 was identified as a critical gene in diamide resistance due to its high expression in the resistant strains. Synergist bioassays with piperonyl butoxide supported the role of P450s in diamide metabolic resistance in S. exigua. A strong positive correlation between CYP9A40 over-expression levels (up to 80-fold) and diamide LC₅₀ values was obtained for field-collected populations uniformly showing a 100% frequency of the RyR I4790 M target-site resistance allele. To validate the function of CYP9A40 in diamide detoxification, we recombinantly expressed the gene and tested its ability to bind and degrade chlorantraniliprole as a substrate. The results confirmed its catalytic role in diamide metabolism. CYP9A40 has been identified and validated to confer metabolic resistance in Korean S. exigua populations. It works alongside the RyR target-site I4790 M mutation to enhance diamide resistance. These mechanisms offer insights for resistance monitoring and support insecticide resistance management programs to improve control strategies for S. exigua.