Figure 1

Resulting phenotype after injection of dsRNA targeting the laccase2 gene in C. brunneus.

Second instar weevils were injected with 0.2 μg dsRNA/mg body weight and subsequently placed on fresh sweetpotato root slices where they were evaluated for phenotypical changes. (a,b) show two adult individuals in the control group, showing a typically brown-black and sclerotized cuticle, including one pair of hindwings and one pair of hardened forewings or elytra; (c,d) show two adult individuals after laccase2 silencing exhibiting a soft, white cuticle, and two pairs of unsclerotized wings, lacking the sclerotized elytra which are typical for coleopteran species. (e) shows a control pupa and (f) represents a dslaccase2-treated pupa, exhibiting a similar lack of sclerotization of the cuticle.