Evaluation of RNA Interference for Control of the Grape Mealybug Pseudococcus maritimus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae).

ABSTRACT: The grape mealybug Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn, 1900) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a significant pest of grapevines (Vitis spp.) and a vector of disease-causing grape viruses, linked to its feeding on phloem sap. The management of this pest is constrained by the lack of naturally occurring resistance traits in Vitis. Here, we obtained proof of concept that RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules against essential genes for phloem sap feeding can depress insect survival. The genes of interest code for an aquaporin (AQP) and a sucrase (SUC) that are required for osmoregulation in related phloem sap-feeding hemipteran insects (aphids and whiteflies). In parallel, we investigated the grape mealybug genes coding non-specific n

SUBMITTER: Arora AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7692628 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature