Effect of biosynthesized Silver nanoparticles on growth and development of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Interaction with midgut protease

We investigated the effect of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the gut protease activity of insecticide resistant gram caterpillar, Helicoverpa annigera. The leaf extracts of Peepal tree, Ficus religiosa (FR) and banyan tree, Ficus benghalensis (FB) mediated biogenic AgNPs were synthesized to modulate the function of gut protease activity in H. armigera (Ha). Bioassay with FR and FB AgNPs significantly reduced both larval weight and survival rate of H. armigera. The FR and FB AgNPs inhibited the Ha-Gut protease activity by 50 and 70% at 10014 concentration respectively. The FR and FB Silver nanoparticles were interacted and binds with high affinity with protease. The inhibition studies on Ha-gut protease activity may contribute towards developing new IRM (Insecticide Resistant Management) strategies against H. annigera to overcome insecticidal resistance issues. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Korean Society of Applied Entomology, Taiwan Entomological Society and Malaysian Plant Protection Society.