RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a new direction for insect pest management, a biologically-based and target specific strategy. During the past decade the availability of insect genomics and computational biology has further enabled the implementation of RNAi technology to target economically important insect pests. It has shown striking results in various insect groups, suggesting that it will be a promising tool for the next generation of pest management. The mechanism of RNAi action is a specific knockdown of gene expression vie degradation of a target messenger RNA (mRNA), by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The applied dsRNA thus blocks target protein synthesis, leading to failure of normal physiological functions in the organism To successfully develop RNAi applications, a critical initial step is screening for appropriate candidate genes to identify RNAi targets, because the impacts of gene silencing (especially in terms of which other genes are effected) vary for different RNAi target genes and insects. The challenge with gene selection is to select suitable insect-specific target genes that provide fast-acting mortality or suppression and long-term population suppression without affecting other non-target organisms.

• Man-Yeon Choi(USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Horticultural Crops Research Unit)