The challenge of RNAi-mediated control of hemipterans

The post-transcriptional gene silencing mechanism RNA interference (RNAi) has potential as a crop protection strategy against important pest insects. Here we focus on Hemiptera pests, comprising some of the most devastating pest organisms as aphids, whiteflies, psyllids, bedbugs and kissing bugs. At first, a state-of-the-art overview is provided of the progress in RNAi in Hemiptera, as well as on the challenges when developing new RNAi-based pest control strategies against hemipteran pests, such as the delivery of dsRNA and degradation in the insect body. We also discuss the variability in RNAi efficiency as observed between species and experiments, and the factors potentially responsible for this phenomenon.