SPARC plays an important role in the oviposition and nymphal development in Nilaparvata lugens Stål

BACKGROUND: The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål)is a notorious rice pest in many areas of Asia. Study on the molecular mechanisms underlying its development and reproduction will provide scientific basis for effective control. SPARC (Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine) is one of structural component of the extracellular matrix, which influences a diverse array of biological functions. In this study, the gene for SPARC was identified and functionally analysed from N.lugens. RESULTS: The result showed that the NlSPARC mRNA was highly expressed in fat body, hemolymph and early embryo. The mortality increased significantly when NlSPARC was downregulated after RNA interference (RNAi) in 3 ~ 4(th) instar nymphs. Downregulation of NlSPARC in adults significantly reduced the number of eggs and offspring, as well as the transcription level of NlSPARC in newly hatched nymphs and survival rate in progeny. The observation with microanatomy on individuals after NlSPARC RNAi showed smaller and less abundant fat body than that in control. No obvious morphological abnormalities in the nymphal development and no differences in development of internal reproductive organ were observed when compared with control. CONCLUSION: NlSPARC is required for oviposition and nymphal development mainly through regulating the tissue of fat body in N.lugens. NlSPARC could be a new candidate target for controlling the rapid propagation of N.lugens population. Our results also demonstrated that the effect of NlSPARC RNAi can transfer to the next generation in N.lugens. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08903-z.