Superior target genes and pathways for RNAi-mediated pest control revealed by genome-wide analysis in the beetle Tribolium castaneum.

Background: An increasing human population, the emergence of resistances against pesticides and their potential impact on the environment call for the development of new eco-friendly pest control strategies. RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticides have emerged as a new option with the first products entering the market. Essentially, double-stranded RNAs targeting essential genes of pests are either expressed in the plants or sprayed on their surface.

Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells as a model system to investigate the role of detoxification gene expression in response to xenobiotics.

(fall armyworm) is a highly destructive invasive pest that feeds on numerous crops including maize and rice. It has developed sophisticated mechanisms to detoxify xenobiotics such as secondary plant metabolites as well as manmade insecticides. The aim of the study was to explore the detoxification response to plant secondary metabolites and insecticides employing a Sf9 cell model exposed to indole 3-carbinol (I3C) and methoprene.

Establishing RNAi for basic research and pest control and identification of the most efficient target genes for pest control: a brief guide.

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful tool for knocking-down gene function in diverse taxa including arthropods for both basic biological research and application in pest control. The conservation of the RNAi mechanism in eukaryotes suggested that it should-in principle-be applicable to most arthropods. However, practical hurdles have been limiting the application in many taxa.

Baseline Susceptibility of Populations Collected in India towards Different Chemical Classes of Insecticides.

Fall armyworm (FAW), , is a major pest of maize in the Americas and recently invaded the Eastern hemisphere. It was first detected in India in 2018 and is considered a major threat to maize production. FAW control largely relies on the application of chemical insecticides and transgenic crops expressing insecticidal proteins.

The mustard leaf beetle, Phaedon cochleariae, as a screening model for exogenous RNAi-based control of coleopteran pests.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising, selective pest control technology based on the silencing of targeted genes mediated by the degradation of mRNA after the ingestion of double-stranded (ds) RNA. However, the identification of the best target genes remains a challenge, because large scale screening is only feasible in lab model systems and it remains unclear, to what degree such data can be transferred to pest species. Here, we report on our efforts to transfer target genes found in a lab model to the mustard leaf beetle, Phaedon cochleariae.

Profiling of RNAi sensitivity after foliar dsRNA exposure in different European populations of Colorado potato beetle reveals a robust response with minor variability.

In recent years, substantial effort was spent on the exploration and implementation of RNAi technology using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for pest management purposes. However, only few studies investigated the geographical variation in RNAi sensitivity present in field-collected populations of the targeted insect pest. In this baseline study, 2nd instar larvae of 14 different European populations of Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata, collected from nine different countries were exposed to a foliarly applied diagnostic dose of dsactin (dsact) to test for possible variations in RNAi response.