RNA interference (RNAi) for sustainable aphid control
Shi, Meng-Zhu; Gatti, Jean‐Luc; Tares, Sophie; Desneux, Nicolas; Li, Jian-Yu
published online: Oct 7, 2026
manuscript accepted: Aug 12, 2026
final revised version received: May 28, 2026
manuscript revision requested: Feb 26, 2026
manuscript received: Jan 15, 2026
Open Access (paper may be downloaded free of charge)
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is viewed as a more specific, safe and sustainable method for agricultural pest control, and is now tested in the fields against different pests in different countries. Aphids are one important future target among these pests that cause significant economic losses in major crops, mainly through virus transmission during their phloem feeding. Many potential genes for RNAi have been tested in aphids to develop management strategies, including genes involved in development, signal transduction, reproduction, metabolism, detoxification, immune system and transport proteins. Most RNAi treatments affect aphid development and population growth, thereby achieving the goal of aphid control. Different methods of RNAi delivery have also been used with varying degrees of success, including microinjection, soaking, oral feeding, plant-expressing dsRNA and nanocarrier-mediated delivery. This review will provide an overview of the target genes used for aphid RNAi, including their delivery methods developed in recent years. It will also highlight some of the remaining challenges, such as improving efficiency of RNAi and of delivery methods, and the key issue of the risk management of this new technology such as species specificity of the gene selected for RNAi, development of insect resistance and potential side effects on the environment and human health that this new technology could entail.
Keywords
RNAi delivery methods • pest control • double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) • host-induced gene silencing • spray-induced gene silencing • nanocarriers • symbiotic bacteria • nanocarriers