Fig. 3

Effects of RNAi-based knockdown of LNSP1 or LNSP2 on oviposition. Representative images of the eggs from a control, b LNSP1-knockdown, c LNSP2-knockdown and d LNSP1- and LNSP2-double knockdown females. Individual dsRNA was injected singly or in combination into the ventral side of an abdomen of a female louse. The eggs were collected on hair tufts for 24 h from 48 to 72 h post-injection. Yellow arrowheads in panels B and D indicate the desiccated dead eggs, and red arrowheads in panels C and D indicate the solidified glue-like material. e The number of eggs and f %hatchability of eggs laid from the control or LNSP-knockdown females during the period 60–84 h post-injection. The hatchability of eggs from the LNSP2-knockdown or double-knockdown lice was zero, thus not seen in the graph. g Comparison of body weight between the control and LNSP2-knockdown females. A reproductive system h from a control female and i from a LNSP2- knockdown female. A white arrowhead in panel I indicates an opening of ruptured uterus. Significant differences were tested using one-way ANOVA (e, f) or Student’s t-test (g) (**P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; ****P < 0.0001). Error bars indicate standard deviations