Pymetrozine is used on potato (S. tuberosum) and Chrysanthemum morifolium (C. morifolium) to obtain greater yield and quality. However, pesticide use carries the potential for residues to remain and be detected on harvested crops. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate pesticide residues in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium products that are commercially available for human consumption and to assess the associated dietary risks. For this study, a total of 340 samples (200 S. tuberosum samples and 140 C. morifolium samples) were collected randomly from supermarkets and farmer’s markets. Residues of pymetrozine in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium were detected by using an established and validated QuECHERS-HPLC-MS / MS method, while a dietary risk assessment of pymetrozine in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium was performed using these data. The detection rates of pymetrozine in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium samples were 92.31% and 98.17%, respectively, with residues not more than 0.036 and 0.024 mg/kg, respectively. Based on these results, the dietary risk assessment indicated that the intake of pymetrozine residues in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium does not pose a health risk. This work improved our understanding of the potential exposure risk of pymetrozine in S. tuberosum and C. morifolium.

The Gleditsia sinensis Lam. widely grown in China is a perennial plant with medicinal properties (Zhang et al. 2016). Since 2019, the leaves of G. sinensis have exhibited yellowing and wilting, and...

To investigate the expression of micro RNAs (miRNA) at the transcriptome level in interactions between maize (Zea mays) and the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), four miRNA libraries were constructed based on four groups of samples: fresh, uneaten maize leaves; maize leaves eaten by Asian corn borer larvae; Asian corn borer larvae that had eaten maize leaves; and Asian corn borer reared on an artificial diet). Through second-generation sequencing technology, 810 known miRNAs and 132 new miRNAs were identified and analyzed. In specific miRNA comparisons, five new plant-derived miRNAs were found in the Asian corn borer larvae, of which one was differentially expressed because of its diet. Expression levels of all differentially expressed miRNAs were validated using qRT PCR. Because of biotic stress and differences in food types, miRNAs with cross-kingdom transfer were regulated by their target genes to express metabolic factors such as transcription factors (e.g., growth hormone response factors (ARF6, ARF8), inorganic phosphate transporters (Pht10), and phosphate transporters (Pht7, Pht9)). We improve understanding of the roles of microRNAs in plant–insect interactions, and establish a foundation upon which new maize varieties with resistance to Asian corn borer larvae can be developed through genetic engineering.