Toxicological and transcriptomic effects in Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exposed to chlorantraniliprole and functional characterization of glutathione S‐transferases

BACKGROUND Chlorantraniliprole (CAP) is an efficient anthranilic diamide insecticide against economically important pests such as the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Resistance to CAP may develop due to enhanced enzymatic detoxification. The glutathione S‐transferase (GST) superfamily in M. separata has not been systematically characterized. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the effects of lethal and sublethal doses of CAP on M. separata larvae, screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) responding to CAP exposure, identify and characterize the GST superfamily, and analyze the metabolism of CAP by recombinant GSTs. RESULTS The toxicity bioassay showed that CAP was active against M. separata third‐instar larvae. LC50 was 17.615, 3.127, and 1.336 mg/L after 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Poisoned larvae showed contracted somites and disrupted midgut. Total GST activity in larvae was significantly elevated 24 h after CAP exposure. RNA‐sequencing generated 43 055 unigenes with an average length of 1010 bp, and 567 up‐regulated and 692 down‐regulated DEGs responding to CAP treatment were screened. Thirty‐five GST genes were identified from unigenes, including 31 cytosolic, three microsomal, and one unclassified. The expression profile of GST genes was analyzed using samples from different developmental stages, adult tissues, and CAP treatments. Metabolic assays indicated that CAP was depleted by recombinant MseGSTe2 and MseGSTs6. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the toxicological and transcriptomic effects in M. separata larvae exposed to CAP. The identification and functional characterization of the GST superfamily will improve our understanding of CAP detoxification by GSTs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. We performed toxicological and transcriptomic analyses on Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exposed to chlorantraniliprole. The results demonstrated toxic effects of chlorantraniliprole against M. separata larvae. The glutathione S‐transferase (GST) superfamily was identified and characterized.