Dual‐role regulator of a novel miR‐3040 in photoperiod‐mediated wing dimorphism and wing development in green peach aphid.

Wing dimorphism is regarded as an important phenotypic plasticity involved in the migration and reproduction of aphids. However, the signal transduction and regulatory mechanism of wing dimorphism in aphids are still unclear. Herein, the optimal environmental conditions were first explored for inducing winged offspring of green peach aphid, and the short photoperiod was the most important environmental cue to regulate wing dimorphism. Compared to 16 L:8 D photoperiod, the proportion of winged offspring increased to 90% under 8 L:16 D photoperiod. Subsequently, 5 differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in aphids treated with long and short photoperiods were identified using small RNA sequencing, and a novel <italic>miR‐3040</italic> was identified as a vital miRNA involved in photoperiod‐mediated wing dimorphism. More specifically, the inhibition of <italic>miR‐3040</italic> expression could reduce the proportion of winged offspring induced by short photoperiod, whereas its activation increased the proportion of winged offspring under long photoperiod. Meanwhile, the expression level of <italic>miR‐3040</italic> in winged aphids was about 2.5 times that of wingless aphids, and the activation or inhibition of <italic>miR‐3040</italic> expression could cause wing deformity, revealing the dual‐role regulator of <italic>miR‐3040</italic> in wing dimorphism and wing development. In summary, the current study identified the key environmental cue for wing dimorphism in green peach aphid, and the first to demonstrate the dual‐role regulator of <italic>miR‐3040</italic> in photoperiod‐mediated wing dimorphism and wing development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]