Gene silencing by RNAi via oral delivery of dsRNA by bacteria in the South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta.

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) has been evaluated in several insect pests as a novel strategy to be included in integrated pest management. Lepidopterans are recognized to be recalcitrant to gene silencing by RNAi. As such, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery needs to be adjusted to assure its stability until it reaches the target gene transcript for silencing.