Control of western corn rootworm via RNAi traits in maize: lethal and sublethal effects of Sec23 dsRNA.

Background: RNA interference (RNAi) triggered by maize plants expressing RNA hairpins against specific western corn rootworm (WCR) transcripts have proven to be effective at controlling this pest. To provide robust crop protection, mRNA transcripts targeted by double-stranded RNA must be sensitive to knockdown and encode essential proteins.

Results: Using WCR adult feeding assays, we identified Sec23 as a highly lethal RNAi target.