dsSepbanr, a Potential RNA Biopesticide for Controlling Spodoptera exigua by Targeting the Synthesis of Sex Pheromones

Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) is an important polyphagous agricultural pest that poses a serious threat to global agricultural production. We characterized the pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor (SePBANR) in S. exigua and elucidated its critical role in sex pheromone biosynthesis and reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis and functional assays confirmed that SePBANR is a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Expression of Sepbanr peaked in female adults and was essential for regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis and sex pheromone production. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of Sepbanr significantly reduced the levels of key sex pheromones (Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac), suppressed mating frequency, and decreased egg production. These findings demonstrate that Sepbanr-targeting dsRNA may serve as a potential RNAi-based biopesticide to disrupt pheromone-mediated reproduction in S. exigua.