Transgenic tomato expressing dsRNA of juvenile hormone acid O-methyl transferase gene of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) affects larval growth and its development

Helicoverpa armigera is an important pest infesting a number of crops of high commercial value leading to huge economic losses globally. RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent tool for the control of insect pests and towards this objective, transgenic tomato expressing dsRNA of Juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase (JHAMT) gene of H. armigera was developed. The H. armigera larvae fed on HaJHAMT tomato leaves led to a severe (90%) down regulation of the cognate gene expression thus adversely affected the feeding and metamorphosis. Reduction in larval and pupal weight and inability to undergo complete metamorphosis were observed that led to larval-pupal intermediates and subsequently affected the eclosion. Thus, JH down regulation is an attractive target due to specificity to insects and its important role in insect growth and development to engineer insect resistance in crops using RNAi. [Display omitted] •First report on employing plant expressed JHAMT dsRNA towards managing H. armigera•Efficient silencing of JHAMT in insects fed on these plants to the tune of 85–90%•Severe developmental arrest and lethality resulted in efficient pest control