Global population growth increases the demand for food, but insect pests damage about 18% of crop production. The rise of pesticide-resistant insect populations has reduced the effectiveness of synthetic chemicals, prompting a reliance on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. To address these challenges, safer, species-specific pest control methods are needed. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising solution by selectively suppressing genes crucial for pest growth, development, or reproduction. RNAi's sequence-specific approach can target pest insects without affecting non-target species, providing a low-risk alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. However, many insect species, including key lepidopteran and hemipteran pests, show limited responses to RNAi, highlighting biological barriers that currently constrain the effectiveness of RNAi in agricultural pest management.
RNA interference, Pest management, Novel method
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