Qi Zhang

Ms. Qi Zhang

Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, Shandong, China

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 May 2022 in Insects
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CYChun-Hong Yang
Chun-Hong Yang
QZQi Zhang
Qi Zhang
WZWan-Qing Zhu
Wan-Qing Zhu
YSYan Shi
Yan Shi
HCHe-He Cao
He-He Cao
TLTong-Xian Liu
Tong-Xian Liu
Cuticle sclerotization is critical for insect survival. Laccase2 (Lac2) is a phenol oxidase that plays a key role in cuticle formation and pigmentation in a variety of insects. However, the function of Lac2 in whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, remains unclear. In this study, we identified a BtLac2 gene in B. tabaci MEAM1 and found that BtLac2 was expressed in all stages. It was highly expressed in the egg stage, followed by nymph and adult. Moreover, the expression of BtLac2 was higher in the cuticle than in other tissues. Knockdown of BtLac2 in nymphs produced thinner and fragile cuticles, which significantly increased the mortality rate, extended the development duration of nymphs, and decreased the emergence rate of adults. This result demonstrates that BtLac2 plays an important role in the cuticle hardening of B. tabaci and suggests a potential management strategy using RNAi to knock down BtLac2 expression.