The black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), a seasonal migrant and a prolific generalist, can feed on nearly all vegetables and grain crops, causing considerable economic impacts on a global scale. Given its cryptic nature, A. ipsilon management has been extremely challenging. Chitin synthase (CHS), a key enzyme involved in chitin biosynthetic pathway and crucially important for the growth and development of insects, is the molecular target of chitin synthesis inhibitors, a group of broad-spectrum insecticides that is compatible with Integrated Pest Management practices. In this study, we i...
