The Plagiodera versicolora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important forest pests worldwide, which primarily feeds the leaves of Salicacease plants.
In this study, a combined strategy of microbial control and RNA interference-based technology was utilized to manage the P. versicolora.
Recently, our team isolated a Pseudomonas chlororaphis B3-3G strain that exhibits certain resistance to P. versicolora, but the insecticidal effect was not ideal.
To improve its anti-insect effect, we proposed to express double-stranded (dsRNAs) targeting the actin gene of P. versicolora in P. chloroaphis B3-3G.
To further increase the accumulation of dsRNA, the ribozyme III encoding gene of P. chloroaphis B3-3G was knocked out via homologous recombination mediated by pK18mobsacB.
At last, the dsRNA-producing Pseudomonas was sprayed on leaves of Salicacease plants to test its insecticidal activity.
In addition, the killerRed was as a safety switch to prevent the spread of dsRNA-producing Pseudomonas in the environment.
