| Summary: | RNA interference (RNAi) techniques have emerged as powerful tools in the development of novel management strategies for the control of insect pests, such as <i>Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata</i>, which is a major solanaceous pest in Asia. Our results showed that levels of <i>HvSnf7</i> expression were greater in larval midguts than in other tissues. Silencing of <i>HvSnf7</i> led to greater <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i> mortality rates and appeared to be time- and partially dose-dependent. Bacterially expressed dsHvSnf7 that was applied to detached plant leaves caused 98, 88, and 60% mortality in 1st and 3rd instars, and adults after 10, 12, and 14 d, respectively; when applied to living plants, bacterially expressed dsHvSnf7 led to mortality in 1st and 3rd instars, with no effect on adults. Bacterially expressed dsHvSnf7 led to improved plant protection against <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i>. Ultrastructural changes caused by HvSnf7-RNAi in larval midguts showed extensive loss of cellular contents that indicate loss of membrane integrity. This study indicate that <i>HvSnf7</i> potentially can be used as RNAi target gene for controlling of <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i>.
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