Fig. 5

Quantification of the RNAi phenotypes of external larval sensilla. The bars represent the percentages of phenotypes identified for the different ESO subtypes (BSMs, CSMs, CSGs, and TSOs) on the head (h), the thoracic (t1–t3), and the abdominal segments (a1–a8) of Tc ASH (a), Tc ato (b), Tc ct (c), Tc poxn RNAi (d), and the negative control cuticles (e), respectively. Sensilla that were not affected are categorised as ‘wildtype sensilla’. Sensilla showing a phenotype are divided into the four categories ‘missing sensilla’, ‘duplicated sensilla’, ‘reduced length of sensillum shaft’, and ‘only socket of sensillum present’, if applicable. a We analysed 387 specimens for both non-overlapping dsRNA fragments (NOF1 and 2) of Tc ASH larvae in total, of which 263 showed a specific phenotype (sensilla missing). b We analysed 119 specimens of Tc ato RNAi (NOF1 and NOF2 collectively), of which 61 showed a phenotype. Tc ato RNAi cuticles were missing the ant_TSOs (96.72%, see 3rd bar), and also observed a small percentage of duplicated sensilla and sensilla with reduced shaft lengths. c We were able to analyse only 26 specimens in total for both NOFs of Tc ct (n = 17 showed a phenotype). Sensilla of Tc ct cuticles could be grouped into the four different categories of phenotypes. The most abundant phenotype for all ESOs types was identified as ‘sensilla with reduced shaft lengths’ (purple). d We performed pRNAi in T. castaneum pupae to examine the function of Tc poxn. We analysed 111 specimens in total. 51.35% of the analysed specimens showed a phenotype which were identified as duplicated sensilla (CSMs on thorax, BSMs and TSOs on abdomen). See Additional file 1: Table S4 for summary of RNAi injection results