The diamide insecticide tetraniliprole is a valuable tool for managing major insect pests like the invasive tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). However, the mechanisms underlying tetraniliprole resistance, as well as its associated fitness costs, remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the fitness of tetraniliprole-resistant (TetraRS) and susceptible (SS) strains of T. absoluta and conducted Illumina RNA-seq to compare their transcriptomes. We also used nanocarrier-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) to knockdown P450 genes and evaluate their role in tetraniliprole resistance. After eight generations of selection, T. absoluta developed a 20.80-fold resistance to tetraniliprole, accompanied by fitness costs. RNA-seq analysis revealed 3332 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 1707 upregulated and 1625 downregulated in the TetraRS compared to the SS strain. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations showed significant enrichment in categories related to metabolic processes, cellular processes, catalytic activity, cellular anatomical entity, and binding. These genes were also identified in key KEGG pathways such as cytochrome P450, drug metabolism, carbon metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and protein processing. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that P450 genes (CYP405D1, CYP6AB269, and CYP4AU1) were upregulated in TetraRS insects, in line with the RNA-seq results. Cytochrome P450 activity was significantly higher in the TetraRS strain than in the SS strain. Notably, nano-encapsulated dsRNA targeting these overexpressed P450 genes increased the susceptibility of T. absoluta to tetraniliprole. Further, cytochrome P450 activity was significantly reduced following silencing of P450 genes. These findings suggest that multiple genes and pathways, particularly P450 genes, contribute to tetraniliprole resistance in T. absoluta. This study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying insecticide resistance in this key pest species.

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is a major pest affecting economically important crops like tomatoes, causing significant global economic losses and exhibiting increasing resistance to pesticides. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly control method that is sustainable for both ecosystems and human health. This study used age-stage, two-sex life tables, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to analyze how irradiation affects the reproductive capacity of male T. absoluta. Compared to the control group, the irradiated offspring showed reduced total lifespan, pre-adult survival rate, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic growth rate. Transcriptomic analysis identified 232 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that irradiation impacted biological processes in male adults related to key biomolecules, hormone metabolism and synthesis, and immune responses. Of the 14 selected genes validated through RT-qPCR, 13 were identified as potential regulators of male reproductive capacity, offering possible targets for controlling T. absoluta using inherited sterility-based SIT strategies. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for applying SIT in field control and identifies potential genetic targets for managing T. absoluta populations through a genetic sterile insect technique.

Bamboo compost is a renewable organic material that can replace peat and enhance plant resistance to insect pests. However, its combined effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) growth, defense responses, and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, bamboo compost was incorporated into growing substrates at varying proportions (5–30%) to assess its impact on tomato seedling growth, physiological and biochemical traits, and the survival of the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were further integrated to characterize molecular changes associated with enhanced resistance. The results showed that 10% bamboo compost increased plant height and stem diameter by 25.91% and 10.19%, respectively, while higher proportions inhibited seedling growth. All bamboo compost treatments significantly reduced Tuta absoluta. larval survival, with the lowest day-10 survival (16%) observed under BC−20%. Multi-omics analyses identified 1553 and 2591 DEGs and 292 and 591 DAMs in the BC−10% vs. CK and BC−20% vs. CK comparisons, respectively; 290 differentially expressed transcription factor-encoding genes were identified across both comparisons. BC−20% showed broader defense-related transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming, including MAPK and phytohormone signaling, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis, and cutin and wax formation, but with reduced growth. Overall, BC−10% represents a suitable practical addition rate for promoting tomato seedling growth in peat-reduced cultivation substrates.