Apurva Vikas Sabnis, Éricmar Avila dos Santos, Triin Kallavus, Riina Kaasik, Silva Vilumets, Kristof De Schutter, Eve Veromann
The review explores the application of RNAi within the Curculionidae family, focusing on Ceutorhynchus obstrictus, and evaluates challenges in implementation, such as dsRNA stability and target gene selection. A major barrier to effective RNAi in CSW is ensuring the stability of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) until it reaches its target site, and the review examines factors influencing dsRNA stability and their implications for RNAi efficacy. RNAi holds great potential for controlling CSW populations, but overcoming biological and technical barriers is essential for optimizing RNAi-based control, and the review outlines future directions for advancing RNAi-based pest management.
RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising, highly specific and environmentally sustainable strategy for pest management. Given the urgent need for a targeted and effective solution against the cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW) Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham), a major pest of oilseed rape, RNAi-based management offers a promising opportunity. This review explores the application of RNAi within the Curculionidae family, with a focus on CSW, and evaluates the key challenges in implementation. A major barrier to effective RNAi in CSW is ensuring the stability of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) until it reaches its target site. We examine the factors influencing dsRNA stability and their implications for RNAi efficacy. In addition, we discuss strategies for selecting suitable target genes and highlight potential candidate genes for silencing in CSW. Species-specific traits of CSW, including exoskeletal structure and feeding behavior, are also considered for their impact on dsRNA uptake and RNAi efficacy. While RNAi holds great potential, overcoming biological and technical barriers will be essential for optimizing RNAi-based control. This review provides insights into these challenges and outlines future directions for advancing RNAi-based pest management. By addressing current limitations and improving methodologies, RNAi can become a promising and sustainable method for controlling CSW populations.