PubMed · 2026-04-01
Scientists decoded the full genome of the carrot weevil, a destructive crop pest, revealing why it targets such a narrow range of plants and how it survives plant chemical defenses. The findings open new doors for developing targeted pest control strategies.
The genome contains 14,637 annotated genes; only 24 odorant-binding proteins and 41 sensory receptor genes were found — unusually low numbers that likely explain the weevil's narrow host-plant range.
Detoxification gene families show significant expansion compared to other species, suggesting a strong evolutionary adaptation to neutralize plant chemical defenses.
46 genes were likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer from bacteria, including cell-wall degrading enzymes, and a toxin gene shows evidence of ancient bacterial origin followed by spread within the weevil family.
