Transcriptome analysis and identification of induced genes in the response of Harmonia axyridis to cold hardiness

Changes in the bacterial communities of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in response to long-term cold storage and progressive loss of egg viability in cold-stored beetles

Bacteria have a profound influence on life history and reproduction of numerous insects, while the associations between hosts and bacteria are substantially influenced by environmental pressures. Cold storage is crucial for extending the shelf life of insects used as tools for biological control, but mostly causes detrimental effects. In this study, we observed a great decrease in egg hatch rate of cold-stored Harmonia axyridis during the later oviposition periods. Furthermore, most eggs produced by their F1 offspring exhibited complete loss of hatchability. We hypothesized that long-term exposure to cold may greatly alter the bacterial community within the reproductive tracts of H. axyridis, which may be an important factor contributing to the loss of egg viability. Through sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we discovered considerable changes in the bacterial structure within the reproductive tracts of female cold-stored beetles (LCS_F) compared to non-stored beetles (Control_F), with a notable increase in unclassified_f_Enterobacteriaceae in LCS_F. Furthermore, in accordance with the change of egg hatchability, we observed a slight variation in the microbial community of eggs produced by cold-stored beetles in early (Egg_E) and later (Egg_L) oviposition periods as well as in eggs produced by their F1 offspring (Egg_F1). Functional predictions of the microbial communities revealed a significant decrease in the relative abundance of substance dependence pathway in LCS_F. Moreover, this pathway exhibited relatively lower abundance levels in both Egg_L and Egg_F1 compared to Egg_E. These findings validate that long-term cold storage can greatly modify the bacterial composition within H. axyridis, thereby expanding our understanding of the intricate bacteria-insect host interactions.

Transcriptome analysis reveals differential effects of beta-cypermethrin and fipronil insecticides on detoxification mechanisms in Solenopsis invicta

Insecticide resistance poses many challenges in insect pest control, particularly in the control of destructive pests such as red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). In recent years, beta-cypermethrin and fipronil have been extensively used to manage invasive ants, but their effects on resistance development in S. invicta are still unknown. To investigate resistance development, S. invicta was collected from populations in five different cities in Guangdong, China. The results showed 105.71- and 2.98-fold higher resistance against fipronil and beta-cypermethrin, respectively, in the Guangzhou population. The enzymatic activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylases, and glutathione S-transferases significantly increased with increasing beta-cypermethrin and fipronil concentrations. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 117 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the BC-ck vs. BC-30 treatments (39 upregulated and 78 downregulated), 109 DEGs in F-ck vs. F-30 (33 upregulated and 76 downregulated), and 499 DEGs in BC-30 vs. F-30 (312 upregulated and 187 downregulated). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that DEGs associated with insecticide resistance were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, the AMPK signaling pathway, the insulin signaling pathway, carbon metabolism, peroxisomes, fatty acid metabolism, drug metabolism enzymes and the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. Furthermore, we found that DEGs important for insecticide detoxification pathways were differentially regulated under both insecticide treatments in S. invicta. Comprehensive transcriptomic data confirmed that detoxification enzymes play a significant role in insecticide detoxification and resistance development in S. invicta in Guangdong Province. Numerous identified insecticide-related genes, GO terms, and KEGG pathways indicated the resistance of S. invicta workers to both insecticides. Importantly, this transcriptome profile variability serves as a starting point for future research on insecticide risk evaluation and the molecular mechanism of insecticide detoxification in invasive red imported fire ants.

Genome-wide gene expression profiles of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) under cold temperatures provide insights into body color variation

Cold temperatures are one of the factors influencing color polymorphisms in Acyrthosiphon pisum, resulting in a change from a red to greenish color. Here we characterized gene expression profiles of A. pisum under different low temperatures (1°C, 4°C, 8°C, and 14°C) and durations (3, 6, 12, and 24 h). The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) increased as temperatures decreased and time increased, but only a small number of significant DEGs were identified. Genes involved in pigment metabolism were downregulated. An interaction network analysis for 506 common DEGs in comparisons among aphids exposed to 1°C for four durations indicated that a cytochrome P450 gene (CYP, LOC112935894) significantly downregulated may interact with a carotenoid metabolism gene (LOC100574964), similar to other genes encoding CYP, lycopene dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase. We proposed that the body color shift in A. pisum responding to low temperatures may be regulated by CYPs.

Emamectin benzoate induced enzymatic and transcriptional alternation in detoxification mechanism of predatory beetle Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) at the sublethal concentration

In this study, the detoxification enzyme activity and the transcriptional profile changes in the second instar through RNA-sequencing technology due to emamectin benzoate (EB) were assessed. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450) enzyme activity was not altered by EB due to the change in concentration and exposure time in all treatments. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme was not considerably varying in all treatments, while exposure time significantly changed the enzyme activity. Results showed that the esterase (Ests) activity was elevated with the increasing concentrations and exposure time. Two libraries were generated, containing 107,767,542 and 108,142,289 clean reads for the samples treated with LC₃₀ of EB and control. These reads were grouped into 218,070 transcripts and 38,097 unigenes. A total of 2257 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from these unigenes, of which 599 up-regulated and 1658 were down-regulated. The majority of these DEGs related to pesticides resistance were identified in numerous Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, e.g., steroid hormone biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, drug metabolism-other enzymes, chemical carcinogenesis, pathways of cancer, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, drug metabolism of cytochrome P450, linoleic acid metabolism, retinol metabolism, and insect hormone biosynthesis. These pathways also shared the same genes as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), Esterase (Ests), UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs), and ATP-binding cassettes (ABCs). A heatmap analysis also showed that regulation of genes in a pathway causes a series of gene expression regulation in subsequent pathways. Our quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) results were consistent with the DEG's data of transcriptome analysis. The comprehensive transcriptome sequence resource attained through this study evidence that the EB induces significant modification in enzyme activity and transcriptome profile of Paederus fuscipes, which may enable more significant molecular underpinnings behind the insecticide-resistance mechanism for further investigations.

Identification and characterisation of cold stress-related proteins in Oryza rufipogon at the seedling stage using label-free quantitative proteomic analysis

In this study, label-free quantitative proteomics were used to study cold stress-related proteins in Dongxiang wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff., DWR) and cold sensitive cultivated rice 'Xieqingzao B'(Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica cv., XB). The results demonstrated the presence of 101 and 216 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected in DWR and XB, respectively, after cold stress. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DWR and XB differed significantly in their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulate energy metabolism. Of the 101 DEPs of DWR, 46 DEPs related to differential expressed genes were also detected by transcriptome analysis. And 13 out of 101 DEPs were located in previous cold related quantitative trait loci (QTL). Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that protein expression and transcription patterns were not similar in XB and DWR. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constituted using the DEPs of DWR and XB, and the following three centre proteins were identified: Q8H3I3, Q9LDN2, and Q2QXR8. Next, we selected a centre protein and two of the 37 DEPs with high levels of differential expression (fold change ≥ 2) were used for cloning and prokaryotic expression. We found that Q5Z9Q8 could significantly improve the cold tolerance of Escherichia coli.

Expression analysis of genes related to cold tolerance in Dendroctonus valens

Pine beetles are well known in North America for their widespread devastation of pine forests. However, Dendroctonus valens LeConte is an important invasive forest pest in China also. Adults and larvae of this bark beetle mainly winter at the trunks and roots of Pinus tabuliformis and Pinus sylvestris; larvae, in particular, result in pine weakness or even death. Since the species was introduced from the United States to Shanxi in 1998, its distribution has spread northward. In 2017, it invaded a large area at the junction of Liaoning, Inner Mongolia and Hebei provinces, showing strong cold tolerance. To identify genes relevant to cold tolerance and the process of overwintering, we sequenced the transcriptomes of wintering and non-wintering adult and larval D. valens using the Illumina HiSeq platform. Differential expression analysis methods for other non-model organisms were used to compare transcript abundances in adults and larvae at two time periods, followed by the identification of functions and metabolic pathways related to genes associated with cold tolerance. We detected 4,387 and 6,091 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sampling dates in larvae and adults, respectively, and 1,140 common DEGs, including genes encoding protein phosphatase, very long-chain fatty acids protein, cytochrome P450, and putative leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins. In a Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, 1,140 genes were assigned to 44 terms, with significant enrichment for cellulase activity, hydrolase activity, and carbohydrate metabolism. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) classification and enrichment analyses showed that the lysosomal and purine metabolism pathways involved the most DEGs, the highly enriched terms included autophagy-animal, pentose and glucuronate interconversions and lysosomal processes. We identified 140 candidate genes associated with cold tolerance, including genes with established roles in this trait (e.g., genes encoding trehalose transporter, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and trehalase). Our comparative transcriptome analysis of adult and larval D. valens in different conditions provides basic data for the discovery of key genes and molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance.

Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the mechanisms of overwintering diapause in soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella)

BACKGROUND

Soybean pod borer (Leguminivora glycinivorella) is an important soybean pest in north-eastern Asia, whose mature larvae overwinter in a diapause state. Disruption of winter diapause may be a valuable tool in pest management. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating diapause in this species have not yet been elucidated.

RESULTS

We compared the transcriptomes and proteomes between diapause and mature larvae and between mature and newly developed pupae to identify the genes and proteins associated with diapause. Thirty-seven differentially expressed genes and their proteins changed synchronously between diapause and mature larvae and 82 changed synchronously between diapause larvae and newly developed pupae. Among these, genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and the longevity regulating pathway were up-regulated in diapause larvae and down-regulated in newly developed pupae, suggesting that they may regulate diapause. One fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene and two small heat shock genes (HSP19.8 and HSP18.9) were chosen for further functional analysis. After RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of FAS, the survival of mature larvae was significantly lower than that of control larvae, but the mean developmental time from first-instar larva to adult remained unchanged. RNAi-mediated knockdown of HSP19.8 and HSP18.9 severely shortened the mean developmental time, causing approximately 50% larvae to develop directly into pupae.

CONCLUSION

FAS and the small heat shock gene play roles in diapause regulation and larvae survival. This study provides important information that may assist in understanding the molecular regulatory mechanisms of overwintering diapause of this important agricultural insect pest. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of long-term cold storage on trehalose metabolism of pre-wintering Harmonia axyridis adults and changes in morphological diversity before and after wintering

Harmonia axyridis is a major bio-control agent of pests in agriculture and forest ecosystems. It is also a globally important invasive insect species. To test whether dark elytra colour is associated with greater cold hardiness, we compared the survival rate of prolonged cold exposure in both yellow and black colour morphs of female and male H. axyridis. We determined the trehalose and glycogen content, trehalase activity, and the dynamics of genes associated with the trehalose metabolic pathway. Yellow forms predominated before winter began, however black forms increased from 11.15 to 30.46% after overwintering. There was no significant difference in trehalose content between the females and males during overwintering. Glycogen content in over-wintering yellow females and black males increased significantly, while it decreased in black females. Soluble trehalase activity increased significantly in all the insects except black females. Membrane-bound trehalase activity increased in black males, and decreased in black females. Trehalose and glycogen content and trehalase activity were regulated by differential expression of TRE and TPS genes. Female beetles weighed more than males and survived in low temperatures for longer periods of time, regardless of elytra colour, suggesting that mass is a stronger predictor of overwintering survival rather than colour morph. Our results provide a guide for comparing cold resistance in insects and a theoretical basis for cold storage of H. axyridis for use as natural enemies of pests in biological control programs.

De Novo Transcriptome Sequencing of Serangium japonicum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Application of Two Assembled Unigenes

The ladybird beetle Serangium japonicum is an important predator of whiteflies. Investigations of the molecular mechanisms of this predatory beetle have been hindered by the scarcity of gene sequence data. To obtain gene sequences for the ladybird beetle and determine differences in gene expression between the summer and winter seasons, paired-end sequencing was performed. Real-time PCR was used to validate differences in Krueppel homolog 1 gene (Kr-h1) mRNA expression in summer vs. winter samples. To determined the diversity of the population, annotated cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) gene fragments were amplified from several ladybird beetle populations. The analysis yielded 191,246 assembled unigenes, 127,016 of which (66.4%) were annotated. These functional annotations of gene sequences are currently available from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and will provide a basis for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the biological characteristics of S. japonicum We found a change in expression of ribosome-associated genes across seasons, and postulate that this change is because of seasonal variation in temperature and photoperiod. The differential expression of Kr-h1 suggests that S. japonicum can successfully overwinter because the adults enter diapause. To explain the effects of season on Kr-h1 gene expression, we hypothesize a model in which that a short photoperiod affects the density of Ca²⁺, the subsequent activity of methyl farnesoate epoxidase and the synthesis of JH, and in turn Kr-h1 gene expression. COX1 annotation was concordant with the morphological ID. The same COX1 sequence was found in the samples from several provinces in China. Therefore, the COX1 sequence is worth further study to distinguish beetle species and populations.

Transcript-Level Analysis in Combination with Real-Time PCR Elucidates Heat Adaptation Mechanism of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) ranks as one of the most prevalent insects in food processing and storage facilities worldwide. Heat treatment has been revisited to disinfest food processing and storage facilities due to increasingly strict regulation on chemicals. The effect of acclimation of T. castaneum larvae to sublethal high temperatures of 36 and 42℃ for 10 h on their heat adaptation was investigated, and transcript-level analysis combinating with real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied for elucidating the heat adaptation mechanism of T. castaneum larvae. Short-term sublethal high temperature acclimation could greatly enhance the thermal adaptability in T. castaneum larvae. In total, 575, 875, and 1017 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were, respectively, determined in comparisons between the 28 and 36℃ treatments, the 28 and 42℃ treatments, and the 36 and 42℃ treatments. Fifty-three and 96 genes were commonly up- and down-regulated in both the 36 and 42℃ treatments relative to 28℃, respectively. The results of RT-qPCR analysis further confirmed the RNA-seq analysis. The current results are in favor of enhancing the insecticidal effectiveness of extreme high temperature treatment and elucidating the heat adaptation mechanism in T. castaneum larvae.

Transcriptional analysis of insect extreme freeze tolerance

Few invertebrates can survive cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen, and the mechanisms by which some species do survive are underexplored, despite high application potential. Here, we turn to the drosophilid Chymomyza costata to strengthen our fundamental understanding of extreme freeze tolerance and gain insights about potential avenues for cryopreservation of biological materials. We first use RNAseq to generate transcriptomes of three C. costata larval phenotypic variants: those warm-acclimated in early or late diapause (weak capacity to survive cryopreservation), and those undergoing cold acclimation after diapause entry (extremely freeze tolerant, surviving cryopreservation). We identify mRNA transcripts representing genes and processes that accompany the physiological transition to extreme freeze tolerance and relate cryopreservation survival to the transcriptional profiles of select candidate genes using extended sampling of phenotypic variants. Enhanced capacity for protein folding, refolding and processing appears to be a central theme of extreme freeze tolerance and may allow cold-acclimated larvae to repair or eliminate proteins damaged by freezing (thus mitigating the toxicity of denatured proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress and subsequent apoptosis). We also find a number of candidate genes (including both known and potentially novel, unannotated sequences) whose expression profiles tightly mirror the change in extreme freeze tolerance status among phenotypic variants.

Liver transcriptome analysis and de novo annotation of the orange-spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) under cold stress

Cold stress has caused great economic loss in fish culture worldwide. Orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) is one of the most serious lost aquatic animals in 2016 cold fronts in South China. However, the molecular mechanism of grouper's cold resistance has remained largely unknown. In the present study, HiSeq™2000 (Illumina) was used to analyze the transcriptomic profiles of the liver from grouper under control temperature (CT, 28 °C) and low temperature (LT, 13 °C). Two normalized liver cDNA libraries of CT and LT groups were created. We obtained 51,944,970 and 51,905,036 clean reads from CT and LT groups, respectively. Comparing the LT group to the CT group, a total of 5905 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 2093 up-regulated unigenes and 3812 down-regulated unigenes. GO annotation and functional enrichment analysis indicated that all of the DEGs were classified into three categories: biological process (23 subclasses), cellular component (18 subclasses) and molecular function (13 subclasses). KEGG analysis of the DEGs showed that 2732 DEGs were annotated to 253 signaling pathways. The most highly enriched pathways were cell adhesion molecules, Staphylococcus aureus infection, PPAR signaling pathway, Vibrio cholerae infection, primary immunodeficiency, fatty acid elongation, and we found cold stress mainly affects immunity, metabolic and signal transduction. Thirteen of the DEGs were further validated by qRT-PCR. Our results provide valuable information for further analysis of the mechanisms of groupers response under cold stress.

Improved xylose tolerance and 2,3-butanediol production of Klebsiella pneumoniae by directed evolution of rpoD and the mechanisms revealed by transcriptomics

BACKGROUND

The biological production of 2,3-butanediol from xylose-rich raw materials from Klebsiella pneumoniae is a low-cost process. RpoD, an encoding gene of the sigma factor, is the key element in global transcription machinery engineering and has been successfully used to improve the fermentation with Escherichia coli. However, whether it can regulate the tolerance in K. pneumoniae remains unclear.

RESULTS

In this study, the kpC mutant strain was constructed by altering the expression quantity and genotype of the rpoD gene, and this exhibited high xylose tolerance and 2,3-butanediol production. The xylose tolerance of kpC strain was increased from 75 to 125 g/L, and the yield of 2,3-butanediol increased by 228.5% compared with the parent strain kpG, reaching 38.6 g/L at 62 h. The RNA sequencing results showed an upregulated expression level of 500 genes and downregulated expression level of 174 genes in the kpC mutant strain. The pathway analysis further showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to signal transduction, membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy metabolism. The nine most-promising genes were selected based on transcriptome sequencing, and were evaluated for their effects on xylose tolerance. The overexpression of the tktA encoding transketolase, pntA encoding NAD(P) transhydrogenase subunit alpha, and nuoF encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit F conferred increased xylose consumption and increased 2,3-butanediol production to K. pneumoniae.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the xylose tolerance and 2,3-butanediol production of K. pneumoniae can be greatly improved by the directed evolution of rpoD. By applying transcriptomic analysis, the upregulation of tktA, pntA, and nuoF that were coded are essential for the xylose consumption and 2,3-butanediol production. This study will provide reference for further research on improving the fermentation abilities by means of other organisms.

Selection and evaluation of reference genes for expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR in the Asian Ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a polyphagous insect that is an important biological agent used to control agricultural and forestry pests. The role of functional genes in H. axyridis based on quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is increasingly well understood to investigate biology, physiology, feeding behavior and the role of important genes in physiological processes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a powerful and reliable technique to quantify gene expression. Using qRT-PCR, expression levels of target genes are determined based on the levels of internal reference genes; therefore, reference genes need to be stably expressed under specific experimental conditions. However, there have been no studies on the stability of reference genes used in H. axyridis. In this study, we systematically investigated expression profiles of nine candidate reference genes from H. axyridis, including β-actin (ACTIN); elongation factor 1 α (EF1A); ribosomal proteins L10, L18, L28, S13, and S15 (RPL10, RPL18, RPL28, RPS13 and RPS15); glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH); and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Four analytical methods (geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, and the ΔCt method) were used to evaluate the suitability of these genes as internal reference genes for three biotic factors (developmental stage, tissue, and sex) and two abiotic treatments (temperature and photoperiod). RefFinder, a comprehensive evaluation platform integrating the four analytical methods, was used to rank the overall stability of these reference genes. Among the nine candidate genes, different reference genes were identified as having the most stable expression across biotic and abiotic factors. Genes encoding ribosomal proteins typically had the most stable expression, though EF1A was the most stable across developmental stages and photoperiods. To validate the suitability of these reference genes, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) was chosen as a target. Significant up-regulation in HSP90 expression level in response to both low and high temperature was observed when using the most suitable reference genes but not when using an arbitrarily selected reference gene. The reference genes identified in this study will provide the basis for future functional genomics research in H. axyridis and will also facilitate the establishment of a standardized qRT-PCR program for other related insects.

Reference gene selection for RT-qPCR analysis in Harmonia axyridis, a global invasive lady beetle

Harmonia axyridis is a voracious predator, a biological control agent, and one of the world most invasive insect species. The advent of next-generation sequencing platforms has propelled entomological research into the genomics and post-genomics era. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), a primary tool for gene expression analysis, is a core technique governs the genomic research. The selection of internal reference genes, however, can significantly impact the interpretation of RT-qPCR results. The overall goal of this study is to identify the reference genes in the highly invasive H. axyridis. Our central hypothesis is that the suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis can be selected from housekeeping genes. To test this hypothesis, the stability of nine housekeeping genes, including 18S, 28S, ACTB, ATP1A1, GAPDH, HSP70, HSP90, RP49, and ATP6V1A, were investigated under both biotic (developmental time, tissue and sex), and abiotic (temperature, photoperiod, in vivo RNAi) conditions. Gene expression profiles were analyzed by geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and the ΔCt method. Our combined results recommend a specific set of reference genes for each experimental condition. With the recent influx of genomic information for H. axyridis, this study lays the foundation for an in-depth omics dissection of biological invasion in this emerging model.

Molecular Cloning and Induced Expression of Six Small Heat Shock Proteins Mediating Cold-Hardiness in Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

The main function of small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) as molecular chaperones is to protect proteins from denaturation under adverse conditions. Molecular and physiological data were used to examine the sHSPs underlying cold-hardiness in Harmonia axyridis. Complementary DNA sequences were obtained for six H. axyridis sHSPs based on its transcriptome, and the expression of the genes coding for these sHSPs was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in several developmental stages, under short-term cooling or heating conditions, and in black and yellow females of experimental and overwintering populations under low-temperature storage. In addition, we measured water content and the super cooling and freezing points (SCP and FP, respectively) of H. axyridis individuals from experimental and overwintering populations. The average water content was not significantly different between adults of both populations, but the SCP and FP of the overwintering population were significantly lower than that of the experimental population. Overall, the six sHSPs genes showed different expression patterns among developmental stages. In the short-term cooling treatment, Hsp16.25 and Hsp21.00 expressions first increased and then decreased, while Hsp10.87 and Hsp21.56 expressions increased during the entire process. Under short-term heating, the expressions of Hsp21.00, Hsp21.62, Hsp10.87, and Hsp16.25 showed an increasing trend, whereas Hsp36.77 first decreased and then increased. Under low-temperature storage conditions, the expression of Hsp36.77 decreased, while the expressions of Hsp21.00 and Hsp21.62 were higher than that of the control group in the experimental population. The expression of Hsp36.77 first increased and then decreased, whereas Hsp21.56 expression was always higher than that of the control group in the overwintering population. Thus, differences in sHSPs gene expression were correlated with the H. axyridis forms, suggesting that the mechanism of cold resistance might differ among them. Although, Hsp36.77, Hsp16.25, Hsp21.00, and Hsp21.62 regulated cold- hardiness, the only significant differences between overwintering and experimental populations were found for Hsp16.25 and Hsp21.00.