Study on the Dynamic Response of Ovarian Development of Tribolium castaneum under Hypoxic Stress and the Regulatory Mechanism of the Insulin Signaling Pathway

In the field of grain storage, long-term safe grain storage is of vital importance. The low-oxygen controlled atmosphere grain storage technology, as a green, environmentally friendly and efficient method for controlling stored grain pests, can effectively inhibit the population expansion of pests when the nitrogen concentration in the grain depot reaches 95%. The nitrogen concentration of 95% disrupts the oxygen environment necessary for the survival of pests, restricts their normal physiological activities, controls pest damage from the root cause, reduces the use of chemical pesticides, and ensures the quality and safety of grains. Tribolium castaneum, as a major stored grain pest, warrants an in-depth investigation into its reproductive regulatory mechanisms under hypoxic stress. Such research holds significant theoretical and practical implications for optimizing existing pest management strategies and enhancing grain storage security. This study systematically elucidates the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of reproductive development in T.castaneum under 95% nitrogen concentration, which contributes to the optimization of process parameters (such as concentration, duration, and cycling patterns) and intelligent application of hypoxic controlled atmosphere technology. Furthermore, it clarifies how sublethal nitrogen levels suppress ovarian development by affecting pathways such as energy metabolism and hormone synthesis. Several key reproductive-related genes (ILP2, P13K, PDK1, Dib, ECR) have been identified, providing potential molecular targets for the future development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based targeted gene agents. This work supports the advancement of green pest control technologies for stored grain in China.