Figure 4

Metabolomic analysis of riboflavin and ommochrome biosynthesis in SGSB comparing white and wild type phenotypes observed during RNAi-based experiments. (A) adults at 30 days after emergence (DAE) that were treated with white dsRNA as < 24 h newly emerged adults or as nymphs either at < 3 days prior emergence (DPE) or > 4 DPE. Metabolites measured in adults were: tryptophan \(({F}_{\left(\mathrm{3,20}\right)}=1.23;p=0.3244)\) ; kynurenine \(({F}_{\left(\mathrm{3,20}\right)}=0.52;p=0.6754)\); 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine \(({F}_{\left(\mathrm{3,20}\right)}=51.25;p<0.0001)\); and riboflavin \(({F}_{\left(\mathrm{3,20}\right)}=23.08;p<0.0001)\). (B) first instar nymphs (< 12 h-old) originated from mothers treated with white dsRNA at < 24 h adult stage. Metabolites measured in first instar nymphs were: tryptophan \(({t}_{\left(10\right)}=3.21;p=0.0093)\); kynurenine \(({t}_{\left(10\right)}=3.51;p=0.0056)\); 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine \(({t}_{\left(10\right)}=9.25;p<0.0001)\); and riboflavin \(({t}_{\left(10\right)}=6.46;p<0.0001)\). Treatment means followed by the same letter were not statistically different (Fisher’s LSD test, α = 0.05).