From the two-spotted spider mite genome to RNAi-based acaricide: How fundamental science leads to applied products

The genome sequence of the two-Spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae was the turning point in the understanding of the genomes of agricultural pests. The released genome in 2011 and demonstration that RNAi works in T. urticae established the bases for the understanding of the spider mite biology and how it can be applied to development of next-generation tools to control this difficult-to-control agricultural pest. Understanding the feeding physiology of this species on the genomic level led to the discovery of the most suitable target tissue for RNAi and the most efficient target genes for silencing. In addition, fundamental studies of the RISC machinery and mode of dsRNA processing in T. urticae led to the optimal design of RNAi triggers. This work, spanning almost 15 years, was able to translate the fundamental understanding of the pest genomics and biology into a new RNAi-based acaricide with a potential for creation of a quantum jump in environmentally acceptable pest control.