Hairy and Krüppel homolog 1 Comediate the Action of Juvenile Hormone/Methoprene-Tolerant Signaling Pathway in Vitellogenesis of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)

Spodoptera frugiperda is a major migratory invasive pest and is of global concern. Vitellogenesis, a crucial process for population multiplication in oviparous insects, is regulated by endocrine hormones. In this study, three primary responders to JH signaling, the JH receptor gene Met, and the downstream transcription factor Kr-h1 and Hairy, were first cloned and identified. RNA interference results showed that silencing SfMet significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of SfKr-h1 and SfHairy, as well as the key reproductive genes Vitellogenin (SfVg) and Vitellogenin receptor (SfVgR). Similarly, silencing SfKr-h1 and SfHairy also inhibited the transcription of SfVg and SfVgR. Silencing of SfMet, SfKr-h1, and SfHairy genes resulted in blocked ovarian development and a significant decrease in reproduction. These findings confirm that Hairy and Kr-h1 comediate the action of the JH-Met signaling pathway in vitellogenesis of S. frugiperda, providing new targets and insights for pest control.