Project Number: 5430-43000-032-11
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Aug 01, 2012
End Date: Jul 31, 2017

Objective:
Develop an effective method for oral RNAi in coleopteran storage pests.

Approach:
The cooperator and ARS have recently reviewed the field of RNAi (Aronstein et al., 2011). We have research experience in injection-based RNAi (Brown et al., 1999; Lorenzen et al., 2002; Oppert et al., 2009), but efforts to establish oral delivery of dsRNA have been unsuccessful. Development of oral RNAi is necessary to develop RNAi as a new control method for storage pests. To develop an effective oral RNAi method, we will identify the most likely candidate genes from the genome of Tribolium castaneum. The cDNA for each gene will be isolated using standard molecular protocol. We will manufacture dsRNA either with commercial kits in vitro or by a bacterial system in vivo. dsRNA will be introduced to insects via different methods (application to diet or encapsulated and fed via liquid dose). Phenotype and genotype will be compared in treated and control insects. Successful methods will be evaluated in Tenebrio molitor, Rhyzopertha dominica, and Sitophilus spp., and optimized for large-scale screening of potential biopesticides.