Increased virulence in the locust-specific fungal pathogen Metarhizium acridum expressing dsRNAs targeting the host F1 F0 -ATPase subunit genes.

Our results demonstrate that dsRNA expression in M. acridum can cause host RNA silencing during infection and greatly enhances the fungal virulence through interference with critical host genes, highlighting a new strategy for augmentation of fungal virulence against insect pests. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.