RNA interference in Colorado potato beetle: steps toward development of dsRNA as a commercial insecticide

• CPB is a difficult pest to control since it develops resistance quickly.
• Feeding dsRNA works well and could help in controlling this pest.
• Improved methods for production and formulation of dsRNA need to be developed.
• Studies on non-target effects and potential resistance development are essential.

Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a notorious pest on potatoes and has a remarkable ability to detoxify plant chemicals and develop resistance against insecticides. dsRNA targeting CPB genes could be expressed in potato plants to control this pest. However, previous attempts at introducing transgenic potato plants to control CPB were not highly successful. Recent studies showed that feeding dsRNA expressed in bacteria works very well to kill CPB. To realize the potential of RNAi to control this and other economically important pests, more efficient methods for production and delivery of dsRNA need to be developed. Extensive research to determine off-target and non-target effects, environmental fate and potential for resistance development is also essential.