FIGURE 3.

Effect of dsLmCDA2 on nymph-adult molts. A, determination of silencing efficiency at 24 h after injection of dsGFP, dsLmCDA2, dsLmCDA2a, and dsLmCDA2b by RT-qPCR assay. Expression of the reference gene β-actin was used to normalize transcript levels. Data were reported as the means ± S.E. of three independent biological replications. Statistical significance was analyzed with Student's t test. **, p < 0.01. B, phenotypes of L. migratoria after injection of dsLmCDA2, dsLmCDA2a, dsLmCDA2b, or dsGFP (control) into fifth-instar nymphs (n = 40). Locusts injected with dsGFP or dsLmCDA2b were able to molt to the adult stage successfully. By contrast, locusts injected with dsLmCDA2 or dsLmCDA2a were trapped within their exuviae with a slight split in the old dorsal cuticle of the thorax (red arrowheads) and finally died. Number of animals tested (n) and mortalities (%) are given below each experiment. N5, fifth instar nymphs. Scale bar, 5 mm.