No effect of transgenic <i>St</i> -Prrn-ACT potatoes on <i>Arma chinensis</i> , a natural enemy of the Colorado potato beetle

Abstract Potato stands as an important vegetable crop globally. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) emerges as a pervasive quarantine pest with a worldwide footprint, inflicting devastating consequences on potato crops. Arma chinensis (Fallou) is an important predator of several agricultural and forestry pests, including the CPB. Previous investigations have demonstrated the potent induction of RNAi responses in beetles through the transgenic manipulation of potato plants targeting the β-Actin (ACT) gene. By expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in potato plastids, specifically targeting the β-Actin (ACT) gene of the CPB, transplastomic potato plants can trigger the beetle’s RNA interference response to kill the CPB. Our study evaluates the effect of transgenic St -Prrn-ACT potatoes on A. chinensis . Furthermore, through the tertiary nutritional relationship test of the different potato varieties-CPB- A. chinensis , we aim to understand whether the transgenic St -Prrn-ACT potato can affect the A. chinensis . To discern this, wild-type St -wt and economically significant cultivar Holland 15 were judiciously chosen as controls for comparison against the transgenic St -Prrn-ACT. Comparison of survival curves, predation volume, mean weight, as well as the activities of detoxification enzymes and protective enzymes in the different potatoes was made for CPB and A. chinensis . The study revealed an absence of statistically significant variances in survival rates, detoxification enzyme activities, and protective enzyme activities among different specimens when pitted against the A. chinensis . The study also revealed no effect of transgenic St -Prrn-ACT potatoes on A. chinensis , following exposure through the CPB.