The growth of herbivorous insects is influenced by their host plants, which is underpinned by genetic regulations. We studied the growth performance of the grasshopper Calliptamus abbreviatus Ikonn when it fed on a suitable host plant, Artemisia frigida (Asteraceae) and unsuitable host plant, Stipa krylovii (Poaceae) in a two-year feeding trial. Additionally, the underlying transcriptomic response was also measured using RNA-seq. When C. abbreviatus fed on S. krylovii, it had a significantly reduced growth rate and large variation in its gene expression profiles. A total of 106 genes were significantly up-regulated and mainly enriched in stress resistance-related KEGG pathways. Another 161 genes were significantly down-regulated and were mainly associated with development regulation-, cuticle biosynthesis-, and nutrition metabolism-related pathways. A total of 18 candidate genes were verified by RT-qPCR and were consistent with the transcriptomic results. Stress resistance was significantly induced in grasshopper when C. abbreviatus fed on the unsuitable host. However, the capacity for cuticle biosynthesis or nutrition metabolism significantly declined. The negative effects which S. krylovii had on the grasshopper’s growth performance and gene expression indicate that this plant species was a stressor compared to A. frigida. This study enhances the knowledge on the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in plant–herbivore insect co-evolution.

中文翻译：

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Calliptamus abbreviatus Ikonn（直翅目：Ac科）对合适和不合适的寄主植物的生长性能和转录组学响应

食草昆虫的生长受到其寄主植物的影响，而这取决于遗传规定。我们研究了蝗虫的生长性能Calliptamus abbreviatus Ikonn当它喂食合适的寄主植物，冷蒿（菊科）的和不合适的寄主植物，克氏针茅在两年饲养试验（禾本科）。另外，还使用RNA-seq测量了基础的转录组反应。当C. abbreviatus进食S. krylovii，它的生长速度显着降低，并且基因表达谱变化很大。共有106个基因被显着上调，并主要在抗逆性相关的KEGG途径中丰富。另外161个基因被显着下调，并且主要与发育调节，表皮生物合成和营养代谢相关的途径有关。共有18个候选基因通过RT-qPCR验证，与转录组结果一致。当饲喂不合适的寄主C. abbreviatus时，在蚱induced中显着诱导了抗逆性。然而，表皮生物合成或营养代谢的能力显着下降。克氏链球菌的负面影响对蚱hopper的生长性能和基因表达的观察表明，该植物种类与f曲霉相比是一种胁迫源。这项研究增加了对植物-草食性昆虫共同进化中涉及的潜在分子机制的认识。