Methods for genetic control of insect infestations in plants and compositions thereof

A method for controlling coleopteran pest infestation comprising:

• providing in a diet of a coleopteran pest an agent comprising a first polynucleotide sequence and a second polynucleotide sequence wherein said first polynucleotide sequence exhibits from about 95 to about 100% nucleotide sequence identity along at least from about 19 to about 25 contiguous nucleotides to a coding sequence according to SEQ ID NO:818 and is hybridized to said second polynucleotide sequence that is complementary to said first polynucleotide sequence, and;
• wherein said agent functions upon ingestion by the pest to inhibit a biological function within said pest thereby controlling pest infestation.