Sex pheromone gland transcriptome of Antheraea pernyi

The Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi, has not only been semi-domesticated as an important economical insect, but also used for genetic research. The female moths of A. pernyi employ a pheromone blend containing (E,Z)-6,11-hexadecadienal (E6,Z11-16:Ald), (E,Z)-6,11-hexadecadienyl acetate (E6,Z11-16:OAc), and (E,Z)-4,9-tetradecadienyl acetate (E4,Z9-14:OAc). By sequencing and analyzing the sex pheromone gland (PG) transcriptome of A. pernyi, pheromone biosynthesis, degradation, and chemoreception related genes were identified. Based on the transcriptome, expression pattern and phylogenetic analyses, the important candidate genes related to biosynthesis, degradation and transportation were identified. We proposed a pathway involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation of A. pernyi.