Identification and functional analysis of the Y‐chromosome spermless in male reproduction of Bactrocera dorsalis

Abstract BACKGROUND The sterile insect technique (SIT) represents a highly promising strategy for controlling medical and agricultural pests, and its success largely hinges on selecting an appropriate target gene. The Y chromosome, which contains crucial regulatory elements governing male sex determination and development, presents a potential source of such targets. However, its repetitive structures complicate the identification of Y‐chromosome genes. The chromosome quotient (CQ)‐based method has proven effective for identifying Y‐chromosome genes, including those with a high degree of repetition. RESULTS Five Y‐chromosome genes, including Bdspermless , were discovered in Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) with the embryo male transcriptome as a reference. Interference with Bdspermless led to impaired testis development, reduced sperm count and viability, and a decline in offspring hatching rate. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that Bdspermless is a key gene for male reproduction in B. dorsalis , which can be a potential target for SIT. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.