RNA interference as a tool for the analysis of gene function in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

RNA interference is used as a tool for the functional analysis of genes. Introducing double-stranded RNA into an organism suppresses expression of the corresponding gene. We are developing simple and effective methods of RNAi for the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata, an important model for the study of insect-plant interactions. As a “proof of concept”, we are focusing on the laccase-2  gene. Silencing laccase-2 has been shown to result in the reduction of cuticular pigmentation in the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. The conspicuous but non-lethal phenotypic effect of suppressing laccase-2 by RNAi makes it an ideal target gene for investigating methods of dsRNA delivery.