Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is a kind of phenomenon that in vitro or in vivo dsRNA induced knockdown of gene expression. RNAi as one of the most promising techniques to knockdown the expression of corresponding gene has been extensively used for sequence specific loss of gene function in model insects like Drosophila and also in non-model insects. The methods to introduce dsRNA and the functional analysis of gene have been frequently developed, and RNAi technique combined with transgenic technique has been applied to control agricultural pests in recent years. In this review, we described the application and prospect of RNAi technique in studying gene functions in insects and in pest management.

Key words: RNA interference (RNAi), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), insect, gene function, application