# Intergenerational Effects of Gamma Radiation on Biology and Transcriptome of Invasive Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta

## TL;DR

This study shows that gamma radiation harms the tomato leaf miner pest and its offspring, reducing their survival and reproduction, and identifies genes that could help control the pest using a sterile insect technique.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genes affected by gamma radiation in Tuta absoluta, offering potential targets for genetic sterile insect technique strategies.

## Key findings

- Irradiated Tuta absoluta offspring had longer development times, lower survival rates, shorter lifespans, and fewer offspring.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed 232 differentially expressed genes involved in metabolism, hormone production, and immune response.
- 13 key genes related to male fertility were downregulated in irradiated males, suggesting targets for genetic control methods.

## Abstract

This study examined how gamma radiation at a substerilizing dose of 300 Gy affects the invasive tomato pest Tuta absoluta, focusing on male moths and their F1 offspring. An age-stage, two-sex life table approach was used to assess the F1 generation’s development, survival, and reproduction. Compared to non-irradiated groups, the irradiated F1 moths experienced longer development times, lower survival rates, shorter lifespans, and fewer offspring. Key population metrics also declined, with some even turning negative, indicating population decline may occur. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis identified 232 differentially expressed genes between irradiated and non-irradiated groups. These genes are involved in crucial processes such as metabolism, hormone production, and immune response. The expression levels of 13 key genes related to male fertility were reduced in irradiated males. Overall, this study shows that irradiated male T. absoluta can pass harmful effects to their offspring, impairing growth and reproduction. This provides a theoretical basis for controlling T. absoluta through the sterile insect technique and highlights potential genetic targets for a genetic sterile insect technique strategy.

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is a major pest affecting economically important crops like tomatoes, causing significant global economic losses and exhibiting increasing resistance to pesticides. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly control method that is sustainable for both ecosystems and human health. This study used age-stage, two-sex life tables, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to analyze how irradiation affects the reproductive capacity of male T. absoluta. Compared to the control group, the irradiated offspring showed reduced total lifespan, pre-adult survival rate, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic growth rate. Transcriptomic analysis identified 232 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that irradiation impacted biological processes in male adults related to key biomolecules, hormone metabolism and synthesis, and immune responses. Of the 14 selected genes validated through RT-qPCR, 13 were identified as potential regulators of male reproductive capacity, offering possible targets for controlling T. absoluta using inherited sterility-based SIT strategies. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for applying SIT in field control and identifies potential genetic targets for managing T. absoluta populations through a genetic sterile insect technique.