Fluorescent nanoparticle delivered dsRNA toward genetic control of insect pests.

A fluorescent cationic core-shell nanoparticle efficiently enters into cells with high transfection efficacy. A FNP/CHT10-dsRNA complex is orally fed to insect pests and knocks down a midgut-specific chitinase gene of the Asian corn borer, which leads to death. This is the first report on the genetic control of insect pests through a non-viral gene delivery system to knock down key developmental gene expression.