RNAi-Based Biopesticides Against 28-Spotted Ladybeetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata Does Not Harm the Insect Predator Propylea japonica

RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated control of the notorious pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is an emerging environment friendly research area. However, the characterization of key target genes in H. vigintioctopunctata is crucial for this. Additionally, assessing the risk of RNAi to nontarget organisms (NTOs) is necessary for environmental safety. In this study, the potential of RNAi technology in controlling H. vigintioctopunctata infestation has been investigated by the oral delivery of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The results revealed that the silencing of six genes, including HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k, was highly lethal to H. vigintioctopunctata. The LC50 values of the dsRNAs used to silence these six genes were found to be less than 13 ng/μL. Moreover, the use of the bacterially expressed dsRNAs caused high mortality in the lab and field populations of H. vigintioctopunctata. Further, administration of HvHel25E and HvSrp54k dsRNAs in the predatory lady beetle Propylea japonica confirmed no transcriptional or organismal levels effects. This risk-assessment result ensured no off-target RNAi effects on the NTOs. Overall, the findings of the study suggested that HvABCH1, HvHel25E, HvProsbeta5, HvProsalpha6, HvProsbeta6, and HvSrp54k can be novel promising molecular targets with high specificity for H. vigintioctopunctata management with negligible effects on the NTOs.