dsRNA-mediated silencing of chitin synthase A (CHSA) affects growth and development of Leucinodes orbonalis, brinjal fruitand shoot borer

•Differential expression of two CHS isoforms was observed in Leucinodes orbonalis.•Pupa and, larval & adult stages exhibited high CHSA & CHSB transcripts respectively.•RNAi-mediated silencing of CHSA affected growth and development of L. orbonalis.•SID is present in L. orbonalis and upregulated upon dsRNA supplementation in diet.