Identification and screening of potential RNAi targets in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris via virus‐induced gene silencing and root soaking

BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising approach for the development of reliable and sustainable techniques for the control of insect pest of agricultural importance. However, gene selection and efficient double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery remain major challenges in the application of RNAi technology for pest management. RESULTS In this study, five potential target genes ( RpAbd‐A , RpAbd‐B , RpDicer , RpEcR , and RpLRPPRC ) were identified from the genome of Riptortus pedestris . When all target genes were individually silenced using tobacco rattle virus‐induced gene silencing (TRV‐VIGS) system in Nicotiana tabacum , the expression levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts in nymphs were significantly reduced by 63.5–96.8% associated with 1.8‐ to 4.3‐fold increases in mortality rates. However, silencing Ecdysone receptor ( EcR ) gene caused the highest nymph mortality rate (76.7%) compared to other RNAi treatments. Subsequently, EcR gene in R. pedestris nymphs was silenced via root soaking in soybean seedlings, resulting in a 65.8% decrease of EcR expression and a 3.8‐fold increase in mortality rate. CONCLUSION Two dsRNA delivery approaches, TRV‐VIGS system and root soaking, were developed in R. pedestris , and gene EcR was considered as the best performing RNAi target. Our findings are of great importance to the future development of effective RNAi‐based approaches to control sap‐sucking pests.