Sublethal and transgenerational effects of flonicamid on biological traits and related genes in the wheat aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)

• Published in: Journal of agriculture and food research Vol. 23; p. 102224
• Main Authors: Li, Xinan, Zhang, Xiaoya, Zhang, Wen, Wang, Guochang, Song, Chengze, Wang, Fengfan, Qin, Ruiyang, Zhu, Ganyu, Li, Songwei, Wang, Hongliang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2025; Elsevier
• Subjects: Fecundity; Flonicamid; Longevity; Sublethal concentration; Wheat aphids; Wheat aphids; Longevity; Fecundity; Sublethal concentration; Flonicamid
• ISSN: 2666-1543; 2666-1543
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102224

The greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), is a major pest in wheat production, causing significant yield losses. Flonicamid, a novel pyridinamide insecticide, has demonstrated high efficacy against various sap-sucking pests. This study investigated the sublethal and transgenerational effects of flonicamid on biological traits and related genes of S. graminum via comprehensive life table analysis and RT-qPCR evaluation. The results indicated that exposure to sublethal concentrations of flonicamid reduced the adult longevity and nymphs per female in the F0 generation of S. graminum. Moreover, the LC35 concentration of flonicamid exhibited negative transgenerational effects on the F1 generation of S. graminum, manifested by a significant decline in nymphs per female and life table parameters, including adult longevity, reproductive period, age-specific net maternity, age-stage-specific reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and net reproductive rate. Furthermore, vitellogenin expression was significantly downregulated in the LC35 treatment group compared to the control in F0 and F1 generations. Similarly, ecdysone receptor expression was significantly reduced across all treatment groups in the F0 generation, and it was significantly downregulated in the LC35-treated F1 generation. These findings indicate that flonicamid exerts detrimental sublethal and transgenerational effects on S. graminum. These phenotypic changes may be associated with flonicamid-induced downregulated expression of developmental and reproduction-related genes. The research results provide valuable insights for evaluating the overall insecticidal potential of flonicamid and optimizing integrated pest management strategies for wheat aphids. [Display omitted] •Sublethal flonicamid doses decreased adult longevity and fecundity in S. graminum•Sublethal flonicamid doses causes adverse transgenerational effects in S. graminum.•Sublethal flonicamid doses may induced these phenotypic changes by regulating related gene expression