Gene silencing for invasive paper wasp management: Synthesized dsRNA can modify gene expression but did not affect mortality.

ABSTRACT: Invasive paper wasps such as Polistes dominula are a major pest and problem for biodiversity around the globe. Safe and highly targeted methods for the control of these and other social wasp populations are needed. We attempted to identify potentially-lethal gene targets that could be used on adult paper wasps in a gene silencing or RNA interference (RNAi) approach. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was designed to target genes for which silencing has proven lethal in other insects. dsRNA was provided either orally to foragers or directly injected into the wasps. We also provided the dsRNA unprotected or protected from degradation by gut nucleases in two different forms (lipofectamine and carbon quantum dots). The effects of oral delivery of 22 different gene targets to forager wasps was evaluat

SUBMITTER: Bulgarella M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9810182 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature