LAUSR

Abstract The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species complex comprises very destructive insect pests for agricultural crops worldwide. In China, the B. tabaci MED species (also known as biotype ‘Q’), has supplanted the MEAM1 species (biotype ‘B’) which is threatening agricultural production around the country. The new anthranilic diamide insecticide, cyantraniliprole, provides one novel step for the management of B. tabaci and the development of resistance to other insecticides. Ryanodine receptors of insect are the main target sites of the diamide insecticides. In this study, the full-length cDNA of a ryanodine receptor gene (BtRyR) was cloned and characterized from B. tabaci MED. The cDNAs of BtRyR contain a 15,369-bp open reading frame with encoding 5122 amino acids (GenBank ID: KY244091). BtRyR shares 76–83% identity with other insect RyR isoforms and 42–45% identity with vertebrate RyR isoforms. Spatial and temporal expression of BtRyR mRNA was at the highest relative level in pseudopupae and head, and at the lowest expression level in egg and abdomen. The expression levels of whole body BtRyR mRNA were increased remarkably after insecticide-treatments of adults with cyantraniliprole at 0.01 to 1 mg/l. This structural and expression data on BtRyR provides the basis for further understanding the selective action of cyantraniliprole.