Diet-delivered RNAi in Helicoverpa armigera – Progresses and challenges

[Display omitted] •Current knowledge on the fate of ingested dsRNA in Helicoverpa armigera is reviewed.•In vivo studies on diet-delivered RNAi and their effects are summarized.•Factors and hurdles affecting the efficacy of diet-delivered RNAi are discussed. Helicoverpa armigera (the cotton bollworm) is a significant agricultural pest endemic to Afro-Eurasia and Oceania. Gene suppression via RNA interference (RNAi) presents a potential avenue for management of the pest, which is highly resistant to traditional insecticide sprays. This article reviews current understanding on the fate of ingested double-stranded RNA in H. armigera. Existing in vivo studies on diet-delivered RNAi and their effects are summarized and followed by a discussion on the factors and hurdles affecting the efficacy of diet-delivered RNAi in H. armigera.