Down-regulation of gene expression between the diapause initiation and maintenance phases of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The diapause initiation and maintenance phases of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, were screened. Eight transcripts were found to be downregulated as the beetles enter the diapause maintenance phase of diapause development after day 15 postemergence. These transcripts were also expressed in early nondiapausing adults. Using BlastX, the transcripts were placed into six broad categories: regulatory (serpin), structural (apidermin), protease (serine protease), retinol binding protein (CRALBP), carbohydrate metabolism (beta-glucosidase, beta-mannosidase, and cellulose II), and unknown function.