ds<i>Sepbanr</i>, a Potential RNA Biopesticide for Controlling <i>Spodoptera exigua</i> by Targeting the Synthesis of Sex Pheromones

<i>Spodoptera exigua</i> (Hübner) is an important polyphagous agricultural pest that poses a serious threat to global agricultural production. We characterized the pheromone biosynthesis-activating neuropeptide receptor (<i>Se</i>PBANR) in <i>S. exigua</i> and elucidated its critical role in sex pheromone biosynthesis and reproduction. Bioinformatic analysis and functional assays confirmed that <i>Se</i>PBANR is a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Expression of <i>Sepbanr</i> peaked in female adults and was essential for regulating intracellular calcium homeostasis and sex pheromone production. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated silencing of <i>Sepbanr</i> significantly reduced the levels of key sex pheromones (Z9,E12-14:Ac and Z9-14:Ac), suppressed mating frequency, and decreased egg production. These findings demonstrate that <i>Sepbanr</i>-targeting dsRNA may serve as a potential RNAi-based biopesticide to disrupt pheromone-mediated reproduction in <i>S. exigua</i>.