ETH and Burs-α are necessary for the normal molting in Dalbulus maidis and Delphacodes kuscheli

Introduction Insects are among the most diverse and widely distributed organisms worldwide. They are studied for both their beneficial ecological roles and their impact as agricultural pests. Molting is a critical process for insect growth and development and is tightly regulated by specific enzymes and hormones. In this study, we identified and characterized two key hormones, Bursicon-α (Burs-α) and Ecdysis Triggering Hormone (ETH), in Dalbulus maidis and Delphacodes kuscheli , two significant corn pests in Argentina. Methods We performed sequence identification and characterization of Burs-α and ETH, followed by RNA interference (RNAi) experiments to evaluate their functional roles. Gene silencing was assessed by measuring mRNA levels, and survival and molting-related phenotypes were recorded after dsRNA treatment. Results Silencing burs-α and eth significantly reduced their corresponding mRNA levels and caused high mortality rates in both species. Treated insects showed severe molting-related defects, supporting the essential roles of Burs-α and ETH in the regulation of ecdysis and post-ecdysis processes. Discussion These findings indicate that Burs-α and ETH are essential for insect survival and successful molting in D. maidis and D. kuscheli . Therefore, these hormones represent promising molecular targets for the development of innovative pest control strategies in corn production.