Inter and intra individual genomic edits contributing to white eye phenotype in the mango fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) obtained through microinjection of ribo nucleo protein complex

The Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), is a highly destructive polyphagous pest of horticultural crops. Owing to the magnitude of destruction it causes, this species is an attractive target for control through genetic biocontrol techniques such as pgSIT and CRISPR/Cas9 based gene drive. In the present communication, we are presenting detailed information on the types of edits (inter and inter individual) in B. dorsalis contributing to white eye generated through the delivery of ribonucleoproteins specific to white locus in G0 embryos. A total of 457 embryos were microinjected, and a partial white eye phenotype was evident in 14 adult flies in G 0 generation. Further, these edited flies were batch crossed to check the heritability and types of the edits in G 1 generation from randomly selected 79 flies that exhibited complete white eye phenotype. Three flies (partial and complete white eye phenotype) were randomly chosen from each generation and sequenced closer to the edit site to decipher the type of edits obtained. Edit characterization revealed the predominant deletions of different lengths 2, 4, 6, 11 and 14 bp. Additionally, multiple edits, pointing towards genetic mosaicism, were obtained from individual flies with complete and partial white eye phenotypes (G 0 M3 and G 0 M4, respectively). Hence, this study provides detailed documentation of genetic mosaicism in G 0 CRISPR/Cas edited individuals. Graphical Abstract