Silencing of JHEH and EcR genes of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) through double stranded RNA oral delivery

Plutella xylostella (L.), Diamondback moth (DBM), is a notorious pest disrupting cruciferous crops across the world. Overuse of chemically synthesized insecticides as well as application of bio-pesticide like Bacillus thuringiensis has gained progressive resistance against them, resulting in DBM management failures. To overcome this, a more potential, non-chemical and safe technology like Ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) is to be implemented. RNAi, is a reverse genetic tool with high sequence specificity, elicited by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for silencing the target genes. The objective of this study was to silence two candidate genes from DBM viz., Juvenile Hormone Epoxide hydrolase (PxJHEH) and Ecdysteroid receptor (PxEcR) involved in regulating metamorphosis and molting respectively. In this regard, we have custom designed the dsRNAs (500bp) by cloning and sequencing the candidate genes and delivered it orally (non-invasive mode). Further, we have assessed the extent of down regulation of target genes with five concentrations of dsRNA (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20μg/μl) at four time points (24, 48, 72 and 96h). The extent of gene silencing and mortality recorded for both genes were proportional to the dsRNA concentration. Our study projects that PxJHEH and PxEcR genes would be good target for dsRNA mediated gene silencing in management of insect pests such as DBM in near future. [Display omitted] •RNAi through oral delivery of dsRNA is elucidated in P. xylostella.•JHEH and EcR were chosen as target genes for silencing.•Target gene silencing resulted in mortality which is reliant on dsRNA concentration.•JHEH and EcR proved to be good target genes in bringing out pest management.