dsRNAs Targeted to the Brown Planthopper : Assessing Risk to a Non-Target, Beneficial Predator, .

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is becoming a maturing insect management approach. Before commercial-scale application, however, it is necessary to assess risks to non-target organisms (NTOs). Here, we evaluated the influence of RNAi technology, targeted to the brown planthopper (BPH, , Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a serious pest of Asian rice cropping systems, by dsRNA feeding. Three dsRNA fragments, targeting (ds), (ds), and (ds), which were highly lethal to BPH, were selected to evaluate their effects on an important predator of BPH, (Hemiptera: Miridae). It showed that these three dsRNA fragments posed no risks to at worst-case treatments when fed with high concentrations (10×) dsRNAs. These findings not only establish part of a risk assessment protocol for RNAi-based products on NTOs but also contribute to the development and deployment of new technologies for BPH management.