20E biosynthesis gene CYP306A1 confers resistance to imidacloprid in the nymph stage of Bemisia tabaci by detoxification metabolism

Abstract Background Difference in physiology level between the immature and mature stages of insects likely contribute to different mechanisms of insecticide resistance. It is well acknowledged that insect 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) plays an important role in many biological processes in the immature stage, whether 20E confers insecticide resistance at this specific stage is still poorly understood. By gene cloning, reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR, RNA interference (RNAi) and in vitro metabolism experiments, this study aimed to investigate the potential role of 20E‐related genes in conferring imidacloprid (IMD) resistance in the immature stage of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean. Results After identification of low to moderate IMD resistance in the whitefly, we found CYP306A1 of the six 20E‐related genes was overexpressed in the nymph stage of the three resistant strains compared to a laboratory reference susceptible strain, but not in the adult stage. Further exposure to IMD resulted in an increase in CYP306A1 expression in the nymph stage. These results together imply that CYP306A1 may be implicated in IMD resistance in the nymph stage of the whitefly. RNAi knockdown of CYP306A1 increased the mortality of nymphs after treatment with IMD in bioassay, suggesting a pivotal role of CYP306A1 in conferring IMD resistance in the nymph stage. Additionally, our metabolism experiments in vivo showed that the content of IMD reduced by 20% along with cytochrome P450 reductase and heterologously expressed CYP306A1 , which provides additional evidence for the important function of CYP306A1 in metabolizing IMD that leads to the resistance. Conclusion This study uncovers a novel function of the 20E biosynthesis gene CYP306A1 in metabolizing imidacloprid, thus contributing to such resistance in the immature stage of the insect. These findings not only advance our understanding of 20E‐mediated insecticide resistance, but also provide a new target for sustainable pest control of global insect pests such as whitefly. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.