Transcriptomic analysis reveals genes response to host plant allelochemicals in Leptinotarsa decemlineata

The Colorado potato beetle (CBP) (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a vital insect defoliator on potato, a globally important food crop. Potatoes contain extremely toxic glycoalkaloids in many parts of the plants to protect themselves from various herbivores. Thus, CBP possess a suite of genes that encodes for protein to overcome potato plant’s defense. Currently, there is limited resource of genomic data for understanding CBP’s adaptation on natural xenobiotics. Here we took advantage of next generation sequencing-RNAseq to uncover the gut transcriptome repertoire of CPB genes that response to allelochemicals in potato plants. A series of downstream analyses was performed to annotate the transcripts. Genes and pathways involved in the host toxin metabolism were also identified. Our results will provide important new information on understanding the critical genes involved in host plant defense and xenobiotic adaptation.