A team of scientists has just unlocked many secrets of insect biology by sequencing the genome of a green caterpillar also known as the Manduca sexta.
Before the larva of this green caterpillar pupates, it goes through a stage called the pre-pupa, where it shrinks considerably and prepares to pupate. Often people mistake this stage for a dead or dying caterpillar. This pupal stage lasts approximately 18 days. During the pupal stage, structures of the adult moth form within the pupal case, which is shed during eclosion (adult emergence).
This large caterpillar turns into the Carolina sphinx moth and is considered one of the biggest agricultural pests that damage eggplants, potato, and tomato plants.
This plant family usually creates chemicals that prevent most insects from feeding on them, but this is not the case with this green caterpillar. The scientists have become very interested in its physiology.
The researchers have first decided to sequence the tobacco hornworm’s genome about seven years ago. Scientists can easily gather tissue samples from the caterpillar because of its large size. It is known to stretch up to 10 centimeters long and weighs more than 10 grams.
They wanted to analyze the insect’s protein found in its blood to discover how it protects them against infections. The team managed to purify the caterpillar’s DNA and sent it to the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center for the genome sequencing.
The sequencing of the green caterpillar’s genome can lead to a better understanding of its biology and behavior. Moreover, the study can reveal the similarities and differences between humans and caterpillars, thus evaluating the way the immune system works. This could also help the evolution of the insect pest management.
This green caterpillar could help us understand many biological processes such as animal development and insect metamorphosis. Also, the way the immune system operates and the caterpillar’s role in interactions with pathogens, the mystery behind the wars waged between pest insects and the plants on which they feed.
Manduca which comes from the Latin “glutton” underlines how the green caterpillar can easily consume multiple plants to reach its size and sexta comes from the six orange spots on the moth’s abdomen.
Image source:Wikipedia