Identification and profiling of microRNAs in the developmental transitions of Spodoptera frugiperda

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs (18–25 nt) that are involved in many physiological processes including development, cancer, immunity, apoptosis and host-microbe interactions through posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, we measured the profile of small RNAs over the developmental transitions of Spodoptera frugiperda from egg to adult. We identified 741 miRNAs, including 493 known and 248 novel miRNAs. In addition, we identified the miRNAs differentially expressed over the developmental transitions via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). This study identified critical miRNAs involved in the transitions of this important pest insect S. frugiperda from egg to adult, thus providing a useful resource for exploring the regulatory role of miRNAs during insect post-embryonic development. Overall design: The microRNAs expression profile from egg to adult in Spodoptera frugiperda