*Result*: RNA interference (RNAi) for insect pest management: understanding mechanisms, strategies, challenges and future prospects.

Title:
RNA interference (RNAi) for insect pest management: understanding mechanisms, strategies, challenges and future prospects.
Authors:
Mahanta DK; Forest Entomology Discipline, Forest Protection Division, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)-Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-FRI), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248006, India., Komal J; Basic Tasar Silkworm Seed Organization, Pendari, 495 112, Bilaspur, India, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, 495 112, India., Bhoi TK; Forest Protection Division, ICFRE-Arid Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-AFRI), Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. bhoitanmaya152@gmail.com., Samal I; ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Mushahari, Ramna, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India. happyipsu29@gmail.com., Dash S; ICAR-Indian Agricultural Reserach Institute, New Delhi, India., Jangra S; UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Centre, Homestead, Florida, USA.
Source:
Biologia futura [Biol Futur] 2025 Dec; Vol. 76 (4), pp. 465-477. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 19.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Review
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: Springer International Publishing Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101738236 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2676-8607 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 26768607 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Biol Futur Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: 2020- : [Cham, Switzerland] : [Budapest] : Springer International Publishing ; Akadémiai Kiadó
Original Publication: [Budapest] : Akadémiai Kiadó, [2019]-
References:
Ali MA, Abdellah IM, Eletmany MR (2023) Towards sustainable management of insect pests: protecting food security through ecological intensification. Int J Chem Biochem Sci 24(4):386–394. https://doi.org/10.1166/ijcbs.2023.1164. (PMID: 10.1166/ijcbs.2023.1164)
Bhatia V, Bhattacharya R (2018) Host-mediated RNA interference targeting a cuticular protein gene impaired fecundity in the green peach aphid Myzus persicae. Pest Manag Sci 74(9):2059–2068. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.4900)
Biedenkopf D, Will T, Knauer T, Jelonek L, Furch ACU, Busche T, Koch A (2020) Systemic spreading of exogenous applied RNA biopesticides in the crop plant Hordeum vulgare. ExRNA 2(1):12. (PMID: 10.1186/s41544-020-00052-3)
Bolognesi R, Ramaseshadri P, Anderson J, Bachman P, Clinton W, Flannagan R, Segers G (2012) Characterizing the mechanism of action of double-stranded RNA activity against western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte). PLoS ONE 7:e47534. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047534. (PMID: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047534230718203469495)
Buer B, Dönitz J, Milner M, Mehlhorn S, Hinners C, Siemanowski-Hrach J, Ulrich JK, Großmann D, Cedden D, Nauen R, Geibel S (2025) Superior target genes and pathways for RNAi-mediated pest control revealed by genome-wide analysis in the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Pest Manag Sci 81(2):1026–1036. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7910. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.791039498580)
Cao M, Gatehouse JA, Fitches EC (2018) A systematic study of RNAi effects and dsRNA stability in Tribolium castaneum and Acyrthosiphon pisum, following injection and ingestion of analogous dsRNAs. Int J Mol Sci 19:1079. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041079. (PMID: 10.3390/ijms19041079296173085979293)
Castellanos NL, Smagghe G, Sharma R, Oliveira EE, Christiaens O (2019) Liposome encapsulation and EDTA formulation of dsRNA targeting essential genes increase oral RNAi-caused mortality in the Neotropical stink bug Euschistus heros. Pest Manag Sci 75(2):537–548. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5287. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.528730094917)
Choudhary C, Meghwanshi KK, Shukla N, Shukla JN (2021) Innate and adaptive resistance to RNAi: a major challenge and hurdle to the development of double stranded RNA-based pesticides. 3 Biotech 11(12):498.
Christiaens O, Swevers L, Smagghe G (2014) DsRNA degradation in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) associated with lack of response in RNAi feeding and injection assay. Peptides 53:307–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2014.03.006. (PMID: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.03.00624394433)
Christiaens O, Whyard S, Vélez AM, Smagghe G (2020) Double-stranded RNA technology to control insect pests: current status and challenges. Front Plant Sci 11:505962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.505962. (PMID: 10.3389/fpls.2020.505962)
Christiaens O, Sweet J, Dzhambazova T, Urru I, Smagghe G, Kostov K, Arpaia S (2022) Implementation of RNAi-based arthropod pest control: environmental risks, potential for resistance and regulatory considerations. J Pest Sci 95(1):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01450-w. (PMID: 10.1007/s10340-021-01450-w)
Cooper AM, Silver K, Zhang J, Park Y, Zhu KY (2019) Molecular mechanisms influencing efficiency of RNA interference in insects. Pest Manag Sci 75(1):18–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5456. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.545629931761)
Dalakouras A, Koidou V, Papadopoulou K (2024) DsRNA-based pesticides: considerations for efficiency and risk assessment. Chemosphere. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141530. (PMID: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.14153038401868)
Dalakouras A, Wassenegger M, Dadami E, Ganopoulos I, Pappas ML, Papadopoulou K (2020) Genetically modified organism-free RNA interference: exogenous application of RNA molecules in plants. Plant Physiol 182(1):38–50. (PMID: 10.1104/pp.19.0057031285292)
Darlington M, Reinders JD, Sethi A, Lu AL, Ramaseshadri P, Fischer JR, Vélez AM (2022) RNAi for western corn rootworm management: lessons learned, challenges, and future directions. InSects 13(1):57. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010057. (PMID: 10.3390/insects13010057350559008779393)
Datta D, Theile CS, Wassarman K, Qin J, Racie T, Schmidt K, Manoharan M (2023) Rational optimization of siRNA to ensure strand bias in the interaction with the RNA-induced silencing complex. Chem Commun 59(42):6347–6350. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3cc01969a. (PMID: 10.1039/d3cc01969a)
Felden B, Augagneur Y (2021) Diversity and versatility in small RNA-mediated regulation in bacterial pathogens. Front Microbiol 12:719977. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.719977. (PMID: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.719977344473638383071)
Fingu-Mabola JC, Francis F (2021) Aphid–plant–phytovirus pathosystems: influencing factors from vector behaviour to virus spread. Agriculture 11(6):502. (PMID: 10.3390/agriculture11060502)
Fire AZ (2007) Gene silencing by double-stranded RNA (Nobel lecture). Angew Chem Int Ed 46(37):6966–6984. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.200700762. (PMID: 10.1002/anie.200700762)
Ghosh SKB, Hunter WB, Park AL, Gundersen-Rindal DE (2018) Double-stranded RNA oral delivery methods to induce RNA interference in phloem and plant-sap-feeding hemipteran insects. J vis Exp 135:e57390. https://doi.org/10.3791/57390. (PMID: 10.3791/57390)
Gillet FX, Garcia RA, Macedo LL, Albuquerque EV, Silva M, Grossi-de-Sa MF (2017) Investigating engineered ribonucleoprotein particles to improve oral RNAi delivery in crop insect pests. Front Physiol 8:256. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00256. (PMID: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00256285031535408074)
Gong L, Chen Y, Hu Z, Hu M (2013) Testing insecticidal activity of novel chemically synthesized siRNA against Plutella xylostella under laboratory and field conditions. PLoS ONE 8(5):e62990. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062990. (PMID: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062990236675563646892)
Guo W, Bai C, Wang Z, Wang P, Fan Q, Mi X, Wu J (2018) Double-stranded RNAs high-efficiently protect transgenic potato from Leptinotarsa decemlineata by disrupting juvenile hormone biosynthesis. J Agric Food Chem 66:11990–11999. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.8b03872. (PMID: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b0387230398356)
Gutbrod MJ, Martienssen RA (2020) Conserved chromosomal functions of RNA interference. Nat Rev Genet 21(5):311–331. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-020-0116-1. (PMID: 10.1038/s41576-020-0116-1320515639478574)
Hernández-Soto A, Chacón-Cerdas R (2021) RNAi crop protection advances. Int J Mol Sci 22(22):12148. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222212148. (PMID: 10.3390/ijms222212148348300308625170)
Hoffmann DB, Böker KO, Schneider S, Eckermann-Felkl E, Schuder A, Komrakova M et al (2016) In vivo siRNA delivery using JC virus-like particles decreases the expression of RANKL in rats. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 5:e298. https://doi.org/10.1038/mtna.2016.31. (PMID: 10.1038/mtna.2016.31270037575014456)
Hough J, Howard JD, Brown S, Portwood DE, Kilby PM, Dickman MJ (2022) Strategies for the production of dsRNA biocontrols as alternatives to chemical pesticides. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 10:980592. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.980592. (PMID: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.980592362992869588923)
Hu X, Richtman NM, Zhao JZ, Duncan KE, Niu X, Procyk LA, Wu G (2016) Discovery of midgut genes for the RNA interference control of corn rootworm. Sci Rep 6:30542. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30542. (PMID: 10.1038/srep30542274647144964579)
Iwakawa HO, Tomari Y (2022) Life of RISC: formation, action, and degradation of RNA-induced silencing complex. Mol Cell 82(1):30–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2022.05.012. (PMID: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.05.01234942118)
Jain RG, Robinson KE, Fletcher SJ, Mitter N (2020) RNAi-based functional genomics in Hemiptera. InSects 11:557. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090557. (PMID: 10.3390/insects11090557328255167564473)
Jain RG, Robinson KE, Asgari S, Mitter N (2021) Current scenario of RNAi-based hemipteran control. Pest Manag Sci 77(5):2188–2196. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6423. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.642333099867)
Joga MR, Zotti MJ, Smagghe G, Christiaens O (2016) RNAi efficiency, systemic properties, and novel delivery methods for pest insect control: what we know so far. Front Physiol 7:232461. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.232461. (PMID: 10.3389/fphys.2016.232461)
Kanakala S, Ghanim M (2016) RNA interference in insect vectors for plant viruses. Viruses 8(12):329. (PMID: 10.3390/v8120329279734465192390)
Katoch R, Sethi A, Thakur N, Murdock LL (2013) RNAi for insect control: current perspective and future challenges. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 171:847–873. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-013-0384-3. (PMID: 10.1007/s12010-013-0384-323904259)
Kaur R, Choudhury A, Chauhan S, Ghosh A, Tiwari R, Rajam MV (2021) RNA interference and crop protection against biotic stresses. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 27:2357–2377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-021-01092-z. (PMID: 10.1007/s12298-021-01092-z347443718526635)
Koch A, Wassenegger M (2021) Host-induced gene silencing–mechanisms and applications. New Phytologist 231(1):54–59. (PMID: 10.1111/nph.1736433774815)
Komal J, Desai HR, Samal I, Mastinu A, Patel RD, Kumar PD, Bhoi TK (2023) Unveiling the genetic symphony: harnessing CRISPR-Cas genome editing for effective insect pest management. Plants 12(23):3961. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233961. (PMID: 10.3390/plants122339613806859810708123)
Kunte N, McGraw E, Bell S, Held D, Avila LA (2020) Prospects, challenges and current status of RNAi through insect feeding. Pest Manag Sci 76(1):26–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5627. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.562731419022)
Lata H, Sharma A, Chadha S, Kaur M, Kumar P (2022) RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism and application in vegetable crops. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 97(2):160–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2021.1993022. (PMID: 10.1080/14620316.2021.1993022)
Li T, Wei Y, Zhao C, Li S, Gao S, Zhang Y, Lu C (2022) Facultative symbionts are potential agents of symbiont-mediated RNAi in aphids. Front Microbiol 13:1020461. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020461. (PMID: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1020461365047809727308)
List F, Tarone AM, Zhu-Salzman K, Vargo EL (2022) RNA meets toxicology: efficacy indicators from the experimental design of RNAi studies for insect pest management. Pest Manag Sci 78(8):3215–3225. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7057. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.7057353385879541735)
Liu J, Smagghe G, Swevers L (2013) Transcriptional response of BmToll9-1 and RNAi machinery genes to exogenous dsRNA in the midgut of Bombyx mori. J Insect Physiol 59(6):646–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.04.004. (PMID: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2013.04.00423602829)
Liu S, Jaouannet M, Dempsey DMA, Imani J, Coustau C, Kogel KH (2020) RNA-based technologies for insect control in plant production. Biotechnol Adv 39:107463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107463. (PMID: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.10746331678220)
Lopez SB, Guimarães-Ribeiro V, Rodriguez JV, Dorand FA, Salles TS, Sá-Guimarães TE et al (2019) RNAi-based bioinsecticide for Aedes mosquito control. Sci Rep 9:4038. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40304-9. (PMID: 10.1038/s41598-019-40304-9308584306411920)
Lu Y, Deng X, Zhu Q, Wu D, Zhong J, Wen L, Yu X (2023) The dsRNA delivery, targeting and application in pest control. Agronomy 13(3):714. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030714. (PMID: 10.3390/agronomy13030714)
Lucena-Leandro VS, Abreu EF, Vidal LA, Torres CR, Junqueira CI, Dantas J, Albuquerque ÉV (2022) Current scenario of exogenously induced RNAi for Lepidopteran agricultural pest control: From dsRNA design to topical application. Int J Mol Sci 23(24):15836. (PMID: 10.3390/ijms232415836365554769785151)
Luo J, Liang S, Li J, Xu Z, Li L, Zhu B, Zhang X (2017) A transgenic strategy for controlling plant bugs (Adelphocoris suturalis) through expression of double-stranded RNA homologous to fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase in cotton. New Phytol 215:1173–1185. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14654. (PMID: 10.1111/nph.1465428608990)
Ma YF, Zhao YQ, Zhou YY, Feng HY, Gong LL, Zhang MQ, Hull JJ, Dewer Y, Roy A, Smagghe G, He M (2024) Nanoparticle-delivered RNAi-based pesticide target screening for the rice pest white-backed planthopper and risk assessment for a natural predator. Sci Total Environ 926:171286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171286. (PMID: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.17128638428617)
Mao YB, Cai WJ, Wang JW, Hong GJ, Tao XY, Wang LJ, Chen XY (2007) Silencing a cotton bollworm P450 monooxygenase gene by plant-mediated RNAi impairs larval tolerance of gossypol. Nat Biotechnol 25:1307–1313. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1352. (PMID: 10.1038/nbt135217982444)
Mitter N, Worrall EA, Robinson KE, Li P, Jain RG, Taochy C et al (2017) Clay nanosheets for topical delivery of RNAi for sustained protection against plant viruses. Nat Plants 3:16207. https://doi.org/10.1038/nplants.2016.207. (PMID: 10.1038/nplants.2016.20728067898)
Nitnavare RB, Bhattacharya J, Singh S, Kour A, Hawkesford MJ, Arora N (2021) Next generation dsRNA-based insect control: success so far and challenges. Front Plant Sci 12:673576. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.673576. (PMID: 10.3389/fpls.2021.673576347332958558349)
Niu J, Chen R, Wang JJ (2024) RNA interference in insects: the link between antiviral defense and pest control. Insect Sci 31(1):2–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.13170. (PMID: 10.1111/1744-7917.1317037162315)
Nozaki T, Shigenobu S (2022) Ploidy dynamics in aphid host cells harboring bacterial symbionts. Sci Rep 12(1):9111. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11313-4. (PMID: 10.1038/s41598-022-11313-4356502549159990)
Ortolá B, Urbaneja A, Eiras M, Pérez-Hedo M, Daròs JA (2024) RNAi-mediated silencing of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) endogenous genes using orally-supplied double-stranded RNAs produced in Escherichia coli. Pest Manag Sci 80(3):1087–1098. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7819. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.781937851867)
Pantchev I, Rakleova G, Atanassov A (2021) 10 The Stability of dsRNA During External Applications–an Overview. RNAi for Plant Improvement and Protection 94.
Pathak VM, Verma VK, Rawat BS, Kaur B, Babu N, Sharma A, Cunill JM (2022) Current status of pesticide effects on environment, human health and its eco-friendly management as bioremediation: a comprehensive review. Front Microbiol 13:962619. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.962619. (PMID: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.962619360607859428564)
Piotrowski-Daspit AS, Kauffman AC, Bracaglia LG, Saltzman WM (2020) Polymeric vehicles for nucleic acid delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 156:119–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.005. (PMID: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.04.005325851597736472)
Prentice K, Christiaens O, Pertry I, Bailey A, Niblett C, Ghislain M, Smagghe G (2017) RNAi-based gene silencing through dsRNA injection or ingestion against the African sweet potato weevil Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Brentidae). Pest Manag Sci 73(1):44–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4247. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.424727299308)
Prentice K, Smagghe G, Gheysen G, Christiaens O (2019) Nuclease activity decreases the RNAi response in the sweetpotato weevil Cylas puncticollis. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 110:80–89. (PMID: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.04.00131009678)
Pugsley CE, Isaac RE, Warren NJ, Cayre OJ (2021) Recent advances in engineered nanoparticles for RNAi-mediated crop protection against insect pests. Front Agron 3:652981. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.652981. (PMID: 10.3389/fagro.2021.652981)
Qiao L, Lan C, Capriotti L, Ah-Fong A, Nino Sanchez J, Hamby R, Jin H (2021) Spray-induced gene silencing for disease control is dependent on the efficiency of pathogen RNA uptake. Plant Biotechnol J 19:1756–1768. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.13569. (PMID: 10.1111/pbi.13569337748958428832)
Quilez-Molina AI, Niño Sanchez J, Merino D (2024) The role of polymers in enabling RNAi-based technology for sustainable pest management. Nat Commun 15(1):9158. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49158-9. (PMID: 10.1038/s41467-024-49158-93944347011499660)
Rani L, Thapa K, Kanojia N, Sharma N, Singh S, Grewal AS, Kaushal J (2021) An extensive review on the consequences of chemical pesticides on human health and environment. J Clean Prod 283:124657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124657. (PMID: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124657)
Rosa C, Kuo YW, Wuriyanghan H, Falk BW (2018) RNA interference mechanisms and applications in plant pathology. Annu Rev Phytopathol 56(1):581–610. (PMID: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-080417-05004429979927)
San Miguel K, Scott JG (2016) The next generation of insecticides: dsRNA is stable as a foliar-applied insecticide. Pest Manag Sci 72:801–809. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4056. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.405626097110)
Serteyn L, Ponnet L, Saive M, Fauconnier ML, Francis F (2020) Changes of feeding behavior and salivary proteome of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug when exposed to insect-induced plant defenses. Arthropod-Plant Interact 14:101–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-019-09757-2. (PMID: 10.1007/s11829-019-09757-2)
Siddiqui JA, Fan R, Naz H, Bamisile BS, Hafeez M, Ghani MI, Chen X (2023) Insights into insecticide-resistance mechanisms in invasive species: challenges and control strategies. Front Physiol 13:1112278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.1112278. (PMID: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1112278366996749868318)
Silver K, Cooper AM, Zhu KY (2021) Strategies for enhancing the efficiency of RNA interference in insects. Pest Manag Sci 77(6):2645–2658. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6421. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.642133440063)
Spit J, Philips A, Wynant N, Santos D, Plaetinck G, Broeck JV (2017) Knockdown of nuclease activity in the gut enhances RNAi efficiency in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, but not in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 81:103–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.12.005. (PMID: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.12.00528093313)
Svoboda P (2020) Key mechanistic principles and considerations concerning RNA interference. Front Plant Sci 11:495350. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.495350. (PMID: 10.3389/fpls.2020.495350)
Swevers L, Liu J, Smagghe G (2018) Defense mechanisms against viral infection in Drosophila: RNAi and non-RNAi. Viruses 10(5):230. https://doi.org/10.3390/v10050230. (PMID: 10.3390/v10050230297239935977223)
Swevers L, Kontogiannatos D, Kolliopoulou A, Ren F, Feng M, Sun J (2021) Mechanisms of cellentry by dsRNA viruses: Insights for efficient delivery of dsRNA and tools for improved RNAi-based pest control. Front Physiol 12.
Tan H, Li B, Guo H (2020) The diversity of post-transcriptional gene silencing mediated by small silencing RNAs in plants. Essays Biochem 64(6):919–930. https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20200025. (PMID: 10.1042/EBC2020002532885814)
Vélez AM, Jurzenski J, Matz N, Zhou X, Wang H, Ellis M, Siegfried BD (2016) Developing an in vivo toxicity assay for RNAi risk assessment in honey bees, Apis mellifera L. Chemosphere 144:1083–1090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.09.010. (PMID: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.09.01026454117)
Vogel E, Santos D, Mingels L, Verdonckt TW, Broeck JV (2019) RNA interference in insects: protecting beneficials and controlling pests. Front Physiol 9:434563. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.03456. (PMID: 10.3389/fphys.2018.03456)
Wang H, Zhang S, Lv J, Cheng Y (2021) Design of polymers for siRNA delivery: recent progress and challenges. View 2(3):20200026. https://doi.org/10.1002/viw2.26. (PMID: 10.1002/viw2.26)
Whitten M, Dyson P (2017) Gene silencing in non-model insects: overcoming hurdles using symbiotic bacteria for trauma-free sustainable delivery of RNA interference: sustained RNA interference in insects mediated by symbiotic bacteria: applications as a genetic tool and as a biocide. BioEssays 39(3):1600247. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201600247. (PMID: 10.1002/bies.201600247)
Whitten MM, Facey PD, Del Sol R, Fernández-Martínez LT, Evans MC, Mitchell JJ, Dyson PJ (2016) Symbiont-mediated RNA interference in insects. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 283(1825):20160042. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.0042. (PMID: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0042)
Whyard S, Singh AD, Wong S (2009) Ingested double-stranded RNAs can act as species-specific insecticides. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 39(11):824–832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.06.002. (PMID: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.06.00219815067)
Wilkins C, Dishongh R, Moore SC, Whitt MA, Chow M, Machaca K (2005) RNA interference is an antiviral defense mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nature 436(7053):1044–1047. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature03902. (PMID: 10.1038/nature0390216107852)
Willow J, Veromann E (2021) Highly variable dietary RNAi sensitivity among coleoptera. Front Plant Sci 12:790816. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.790816. (PMID: 10.3389/fpls.2021.790816349501748688912)
Willow J, Taning CNT, Cook SM, Sulg S, Silva AI, Smagghe G, Veromann E (2021) RNAi targets in agricultural pest insects: advancements, knowledge gaps, and IPM. Front Agron 3:794312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2021.794312. (PMID: 10.3389/fagro.2021.794312)
Wytinck N, Manchur CL, Li VH, Whyard S, Belmonte MF (2020) dsRNA uptake in plant pests and pathogens: insights into RNAi-based insect and fungal control technology. Plants 9(12):1780. (PMID: 10.3390/plants9121780333391027765514)
Xu J, Wang XF, Chen P, Liu FT, Zheng SC, Ye H, Mo MH (2016) RNA interference in moths: mechanisms, applications, and progress. Genes 7:88. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes7100088. (PMID: 10.3390/genes7100088277755695083927)
Xue Q, Avila dos Santos É, Smagghe G, Zotti MJ, Taning NTC (2023) Engineering strategies for insect viruses and microbes for dsRNA production and delivery to insects for targeted gene silencing. Entomol Gen 43(1):31–53. https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2023/1460. (PMID: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/1460)
Yan S, Ren B, Zeng B, Shen J (2020) Improving RNAi efficiency for pest control in crop species. Biotechniques 68(5):283–290. https://doi.org/10.2144/btn-2020-0082. (PMID: 10.2144/btn-2020-0082322021347252490)
Yang W, Wang B, Lei G, Chen G, Liu D (2022) Advances in nanocarriers to improve the stability of dsRNA in the environment. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 10:974646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.974646. (PMID: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.974646360515939424858)
Ye C, Wang ZW, Sheng YL, Wang ZG, Smagghe G, Christiaens O, Wang JJ (2021) GNBP1 as a potential RNAi target to enhance the virulence of Beauveria bassiana for aphid control. J Pest Sci 95(1):87–100. (PMID: 10.1007/s10340-021-01388-x)
Yu XD, Liu ZC, Huang SL, Chen ZQ, Sun YW, Duan PF, Xia LQ (2016) RNAi-mediated plant protection against aphids. Pest Manag Sci 72:1090–1098. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4172. (PMID: 10.1002/ps.417226888776)
Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhu K (2010) Chitosan/double-stranded RNA nanoparticle-mediated RNA interference to silence chitin synthase genes through larval feeding in the African malaria mosquito (Anopheles gambiae). Insect Mol Biol 19:683–693. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2583.2010.01030.x. (PMID: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2010.01030.x20629775)
Zhu KY, Palli SR (2020) Mechanisms, applications, and challenges of insect RNA interference. Annu Rev Entomol 65:293–311. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025135. (PMID: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-02513531610134)
Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Insect; Management; Pest; RNAi; dsRNA
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20250819 Date Completed: 20251124 Latest Revision: 20251124
Update Code:
20260130
DOI:
10.1007/s42977-025-00281-3
PMID:
40830542
Database:
MEDLINE

*Further Information*

*RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising strategy for controlling insect pests, offering precise and environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional pest control methods. By introducing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that specifically targets essential genes involved in pest survival, RNAi disrupts gene expression in target organisms. Various delivery methods, including topical application, transgenic plants, and nanoparticles, have been developed to enhance the effective administration of dsRNA. However, RNAi faces several challenges, including off-target effects, species-specific variations in efficacy, and the potential for resistance development. Despite these obstacles, ongoing research is focused on addressing these issues and improving the efficiency of RNAi-based pest control approaches. Future prospects for RNAi in insect pest management include advancements in delivery technologies, the identification of novel target genes, and the integration of RNAi with complementary pest control strategies. In conclusion, RNAi represents a potential long-term and targeted solution for insect pest control. Continued research and technological advancements are driving its adoption and expanding its application in agriculture and forestry globally. This review provides an in-depth analysis of RNAi mechanisms, evaluates current strategies, highlights the challenges faced, and explores the future directions for its use in insect pest management.
(© 2025. Akadémiai Kiadó Zrt.)*

*Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Ethical approval: Not applicable.*