Exploring the Role of Pheromones and CRISPR/Cas9 in the Behavioral and Olfactory Mechanisms of Spodoptera frugiperda

Globally, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> is a major threat to many important crops, including maize, rice, and cotton, causing significant economic damage. To control this invasive pest, environmentally friendly pest control techniques, including pheromone detection and identification of potential molecular targets to disrupt <i>S. frugiperda</i> mating communication, are needed. Female moths biosynthesize pheromones and emit them from the pheromone gland, which significantly depends on the intrinsic factors of the moth. Male <i>S. frugiperda</i> have a sophisticated olfactory circuit on their antennae that recognizes pheromone blends via olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). With its potential to significantly modify the insect genome, CRISPR/Cas9 offers a revolutionary strategy to control this insect pest. The impairing physiological behaviors and disrupting the <i>S. frugiperda</i> volatile-sensing mechanism are the main potential applications of CRISPR/Ca9 explored in this review. Furthermore, the release of mutant <i>S. frugiperda</i> for their long-term persistence must be integral to the adoption of this technology. Looking forward, CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive systems have the potential to synergistically target pheromone signaling pathways in <i>S. frugiperda</i> by disrupting pheromone receptors and key biosynthesis genes, thereby effectively blocking intraspecific communication and reproductive success. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9 provides an environmentally friendly and revolutionary platform for precise, targeted pest management in <i>S. frugiperda</i>.