Decoding Peroxidase Gene Function in Heat Stress Adaptation of Tetranychus urticae: Unraveling Molecular Mechanisms of Short-Term Thermal Tolerance

<i>Tetranychus urticae</i> (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a widely distributed agricultural pest, and it possesses an exceptional capacity to withstand or adapt to short-term heat stress. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this heat tolerance, using both transcriptome and whole-genome data, we identified six distinct <i>POD</i> genes in <i>T. urticae</i> and characterized their physicochemical properties and structural features. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to analyze the expression profiles of these genes under short-term heat stress. Our results show that <i>T. urticae</i> mitigates heat-induced oxidative stress through the upregulation of <i>POD</i> gene expression, highlighting the critical role of these genes in the mite's adaptive response to thermal stress. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular pathways that enable <i>T. urticae</i> to survive in fluctuating thermal environments, which is increasingly relevant in the context of global climate change. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future research utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) technology to further investigate the functional roles of these <i>POD</i> genes and their potential as targets for pest control strategies.