Although the nematode system clearly differs from
insects, it highlights several important points that
must be considered in developing an RNAi approach
in insect pest species. RNAi effects are species-specific
because knockdown experiments and identification of
lethal phenotypes in C. elegans has not resulted in a
universal set of ‘nematode target genes’ that are useful
for protection against plant parasitic nematodes. Therefore,
the success of the RNAi approach is dependent on
careful target selection (which takes into account differences
in specificity between different species) and the
ability of the target nematode to mount a systemic RNAi
response.