RNAi as a management tool for the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera

Elane Fishilevich, Ana M. Vélez, Nicholas P. Storer, Huarong Li, Andrew J. Bowling, Murugesan Rangasamy, Sarah E. Worden, Kenneth E. Narva, Blair D. Siegfried

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

The western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is the most important pest of corn in the US Corn Belt. Economic estimates indicate that costs of control and yield loss associated with WCR damage exceed $US 1 billion annually. Historically, corn rootworm management has been extremely difficult because of its ability to evolve resistance to both chemical insecticides and cultural control practices. Since 2003, the only novel commercialized developments in rootworm management have been transgenic plants expressing Bt insecticidal proteins. Four transgenic insecticidal proteins are currently registered for rootworm management, and field resistance to proteins from the Cry3 family highlights the importance of developing traits with new modes of action. One of the newest approaches for controlling rootworm pests involves RNA interference (RNAi). This review describes the current understanding of the RNAi mechanisms in WCR and the use of this technology for WCR management. Further, the review addresses ecological risk assessment of RNAi and insect resistance management of RNAi for corn rootworm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1652-1663
Number of pages12
JournalPest Management Science
Volume72
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Insect Science

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