Ingested RNA interference for managing the populations of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Fang Zhu, Jingjing Xu, Roshan Palli, Joseph Ferguson, Subba R. Palli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

319 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) is a breakthrough technology for conducting functional genomics studies and also as a potential tool for crop protection against insect pests. The major challenge for efficient pest control using RNAi in the field is the development of efficient and reliable methods for production and delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In this paper, the potential of feeding dsRNA expressed in bacteria or synthesized in vitro to manage populations of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (CPB), was investigated.RESULTS: Feeding RNAi successfully triggered the silencing of all five target genes tested and caused significant mortality and reduced body weight gain in the treated beetles. This study provides the first example of an effective RNAi response in insects after feeding dsRNA produced in bacteria.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the efficient induction of RNAi using bacteria to deliver dsRNA is a possible method for management of CPB. This could be also a promising bioassay approach for genome-wide screens to identify effective target genes for use as novel RNAi-based insecticides. © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)175-182
Number of pages8
JournalPest Management Science
Volume67
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Bacteria-expressed dsRNA
  • Colorado potato beetle
  • Feeding RNAi
  • Insecticide resistance
  • Leptinotarsa decemlineata
  • RNA interference

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Insect Science

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