RNA interference (RNAi) is being considered as an important tool to be used in insect pest management. Better understanding of the RNAi pathway will provide information to use this technology effectively for pest management and to inform decisions related to resistant management strategies for RNAi based traits. Four genes (Dicer 2, Argonaute 2, Sid 1A and Sid 1C) related to RNAi pathway were identified from transcriptome library generated from the gut of western corn rootworm (WCR). The expression of these genes was knocked down by injecting gene specific dsRNA into adult beetles, and then these adults were fed vATPase A dsRNA which has been demonstrated to cause mortality. The suppression of these genes apparently made the RNAi pathway less effective, thus reducing the mortality due to the second dsRNA treatment with vATPase A dsRNA. This research provides the basis for future studies aimed at improving RNAi technology as an insect resistance trait for WCR.

Functional analysis of four RNAi pathway genes in an economically important corn pest, western corn rootworm (<i>Diabrotica virgifera virgifera</i>)

246th National Meeting (2013)

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Functional analysis of four RNAi pathway genes in an economically important corn pest, western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera)