Abstract:  【Aim】Plutella xylostella is a worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables. This study aims to confirm the effects of opsin gene LW-opsin mutation on the growth, development, and fecundity of P. xylostella, providing a theoretical basis for the development of new target of genetic control of P. xylostella. 【Methods】Under laboratory conditions, the age-stage, two-sex life table was employed to determine the developmental duration, survival rate, fecundity, life expectancy and life table parameters of the wild-type strain G88 and the LW-opsin mutant strain LW-13 of P. xylostella. 【Results】LW-opsin mutation prolonged the preadult duration ［G88: (12.45±0.06) d; LW-13: (13.45±0.25) d］ and the total preoviposition period［G88: (12.59±0.08) d; LW-13: (13.57±0.30) d］, and shortened the adult longevity ［G88: (6.84±0.02) d; LW-13: (5.73±0.07) d］ and oviposition period ［G88: (6.09±0.10) d; LW-13: (5.14±0.34) d］. The survival rates of larva, pupa and adult were decreased by LW-opsin mutation. The age-specific survival rate of the G88 strain began to decline sharply from the 18-day-old, while that of the LW-13 strain had dropped to 25% at the 4-day-old. LW-opsin mutation reduced the age-specific reproductive value, age-stage-specific life expectancy, intrinsic rate of increase ［G88: (0.31±0.01) d-1; LW-13: (0.15±0.03) d-1］, finite rate of increase ［G88: (1.36±0.01) d-1; LW-13: (1.16±0.03) d^-1］ and net reproductive rate (G88: 79.79±8.84; LW-13: 10.26±3.84) of P. xylostella, and prolonged the mean generation time ［G88: (14.20±0.06) d; LW-13: (15.67±0.16) d］. 【Conclusion】 Opsin gene LW-opsin mutation affects the growth and development of P. xylostella, reducing its survival rate and fecudity.

Key words:  Plutella xylostella, opsin, mutant strain, growth and development, reproduction, life table