Transcriptome analyses of different edible tissues of Clanis bilineata tsingtauica (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) based on cooking customs

Clanis bilineata tsingtauica, known as ‘Doudan’ in China, is an edible insect in China with a long consumption history and various consumption methods. In this study, transcriptomic analyses were conducted among different edible tissues of C. bilineata tsingtauica, in order to exhibit the scientific base of cooking customs. The results demonstrated 38,613 and 39,824 unigenes were annotated in Nr and UniProt databases, respectively. Unigenes related to amino acids, especially methionine synthesis, were highly expressed in the fat body and haemolymph, whereas enzymes involve in methionine metabolism were abundant in the cuticle and gut. The RNA-seq data were validated reliable by following the expression patterns of 15 unigenes by qRT-PCR. These results suggested the distribution of methionine and other amino acids varies in different tissues. Further analyses indicated nutrients were higher in larvae that hadn’t wriggled into soil. This study will be helpful in promoting and high-quality methods of preparation and consumption of this edible insect.