Chorion peroxidase plays a crucial role in the hardening of insect eggshells, yet its potential as a target for pest control in Spodoptera frugiperda, a globally destructive pest that rapidly develops resistance to conventional insecticides, remains unexplored. In this study, we functionally characterized the S. frugiperda chorion peroxidase (SfCPO) gene and its roles in development, reproduction, and its indirect association with gut microbiota. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strong evolutionary conservation of SfCPO across species. The expression profile showed that SfCPO was highly expressed in ovaries and eggs, indicating a strong maternal contribution during early embryogenesis. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of SfCPO reduced hatchability by 45%, lowered female fecundity by 42%, and disrupted the larval-pupal transition and adult emergence. Knockdown of SfCPO perturbed gut microbiota, reducing diversity and depleting beneficial genera such as Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, while enriching Pseudomonas. These findings identify SfCPO as a dual-function target for sustainable pest management.
Ghafar et al. (Mon,) studied this question.