Methods and compositions for managing pests

Abstract

This document relates to methods and materials for managing pests. For example, this document provides insecticidal agents that include (a) a nucleic acid analog (NAA; e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. This document also provides methods for using the insecticidal agents provided herein to manage an insect population. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to treat a plant having an insect infestation.

Description

[0001] METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MANAGING PESTS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.63 / 709,776, filed on October 21, 2024. The disclosure of the prior application is considered part of, and is incorporated by reference in, the disclosure of this application. SEQUENCE LISTING This application contains a Sequence Listing that has been submitted electronically as an XML file named “59050-0002WO1.xml.” The XML file, created on September 22, 2025, is 752,903 bytes in size. The material in the XML file is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD This document relates to methods and materials for managing pests. For example, this document provides insecticidal agents that include (a) a nucleic acid analog (NAA; e.g., a single- stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. This document also provides methods for using the insecticidal agents provided herein to manage an insect population. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to treat a plant having an insect infestation. BACKGROUND Agricultural productivity relies on the application of pesticides which prevent losses between 30 and 50% depending on the crop. The overuse of chemical pesticide has resulted in environmental pollution, consumption by bioaccumulation, loss of biodiversity and emergence of secondary pests in addition to pest resistance to chemicals (Ahmad et al., Heliyon 10:e29128 (2024)). Currently most available insecticides are harmful to the environment and can be toxic to organisms other than the targeted insects. There is an unmet need for safe and effective means of insect management (Lamberth et al., Science 341:742–746 (2013); and Nishimoto, J. Pestic. Sci. SUMMARY This document provides methods and materials for managing pests. For example, this document provides insecticidal agents that include (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to reduce or eliminate expression of an essential gene within an insect. As used herein, the term “essential gene” refers to a gene that encodes a polypeptide or RNA molecule required for the viability, development, reproduction, and / or physiological function of an insect, such that inhibition or disruption of its expression results in reduced survival, fertility, and / or fitness. For example, a NAA can be designed to hybridize with a regulatory region (e.g., a promoter, an enhancer, or a promoter-adjacent sequence), a coding region, or a non-coding region (e.g., a 5ƍ untranslated region (UTR)) of an essential gene. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to inhibit the growth, development, survival, and / or viability of an insect. This document also provides methods for using the insecticidal agents provided herein to manage an insect population. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to treat a plant having an insect infestation. For example, the insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to inhibit expression of essential genes of insect pests from the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. As demonstrated herein, insecticidal agents provided herein include a gene-specific synthetic molecule designed to inhibit the growth, development, survival, and / or viability of plant insect pests such as those in the Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, or Hemiptera orders. Also as demonstrated herein, insecticidal agents that include (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can, when ingested by an insect, regulate gene expression of specific target genes within that insect to inhibit the growth, development, survival, and / or viability of the insect. Having the ability to manage pests as described herein (e.g., using one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA (eg a single-stranded NAA that comprises NOs: 198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) provides a unique and unrealized opportunity to treat pest infestations using synthetic organic molecules. For example, the methods and materials provided herein can be used to treat pest infestations in crop plants, thereby improving crop production using synthetic organic molecules. In addition, the insecticidal agents provided herein have improved chemical, thermal, and enzymatic stability (e.g., as compared to other insecticidal agents that include nucleic acid).

[0002] In general, one aspect of this document features insecticidal agents comprising (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NA A can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA. can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5' untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The N AA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide- linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7- methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5 -methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH- PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Helicoverpa armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Spodoptera frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Diatraea saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Nezara viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350-356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207- 209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a protection and delivery polypeptide (PDP). The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises consists essentially of or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a nuclear localization signal (NLS). The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK- E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin-MC3-DMA, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyethylenimine (PEI), poly(l-lysine) (PLL), poly(betaamino ester)s (PBAEs), hyperbranched PBAE (hPBAE), charge-altering releasable transporter (CART), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG- SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanosheets. The insecticidal agent can be in the form of a liquid. In another aspect, this document features compositions that include an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length The NAA can be to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide-linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357 360-362 364-366 368-371 and 375-382 The NAA can target an essential gene in a sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350- 356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises consists essentially of or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin- MC3-DMA, DSPC, cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, PLGA, PEI, PLL, PBAEs, hPBAE, CART, PAMAM, PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The composition can be in the form of a liquid. The composition can be formulated for use as a spray (e.g., a foliar spray). In another aspect, this document features methods for managing an insect pest. The methods can include, or consist essentially of, applying an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA (or a composition including an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) to the insect pest. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide- linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine xanthine 7- target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH- PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350-356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329 332 and 336 The NAA can target an essential gene in a A grandis and the NAA can ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin- MC3-DMA, DSPC, cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, PLGA, PEI, PLL, PBAEs, hPBAE, CART, PAMAM, PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The applying can include spraying. In another aspect this document features methods for managing an insect population The single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA (or a composition including an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) to a substrate comprising the insect population. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide-linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A The NAA can target an essential gene in a H armigera and the one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350- 356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369 and (b) a penetratin polypeptide The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin- MC3-DMA, DSPC, cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, PLGA, PEI, PLL, PBAEs, hPBAE, CART, PAMAM, PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The substrate can be soil. The applying can include spraying. In another aspect, this document features methods for treating a plant having an insect infestation. The methods can include, or consist essentially of, an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA (or a composition including an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) to the plant. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide-linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5- methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250 251 255 and 262-268 The NAA can target an essential gene in a D saccharalis and the one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350- 356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471 The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier MC3-DMA, DSPC, cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, PLGA, PEI, PLL, PBAEs, hPBAE, CART, PAMAM, PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The plant can be a crop plant. The plant can be a alfalfa, apple, apricot, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, banana, barley, bean (e.g., fava bean and soybean), beet, blackberry, blueberry, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, canola, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chestnut, cherry, Chinese cabbage, citrus, clementine, clover, coffee, corn, cotton, cowpea, cucumber, eggplant, endive, eucalyptus, fennel, figs, fruit and nut trees, grape, grapefruit, groundnuts, hemp, kale, kiwifruit, kohlrabi, lettuce, leek, lemon, lime, maize, mango, maple, melon, millet, mushroom, mustard, nuts, oats, onion, orange, papaya, palm, parsley, parsnip, peach, peanut, pear, pepper, persimmon, pigeon pea, pineapple, plantain, plum, pomegranate, potato, pumpkin, radicchio, radish, rapeseed, raspberry, rice, rye, sorghum, spinach, squash, strawberry, sugarbeet, sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, sweet corn, tangerine, tea, tobacco, tomato, triticale, walnut, watercress, watermelon, wheat, yams, or zucchini plant. The applying can include spraying. In another aspect, this document features methods for reducing or eliminating expression of an essential gene within an insect. The methods can include, or consist essentially of, applying an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA (or a composition including an insecticidal agent including (a) a single- stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) to the insect. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The NAA can comprise, consist essentially of or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide- linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7- methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH- PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238 241 and 245 The NAA can target an essential gene in a N set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350-356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin- MC3-DMA DSPC cholesterol PEG-2000-C-DMG PEG-2000-DMG DOTMA DOTAP DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The insect can be a pest insect. The applying can include spraying. In another aspect, this document features methods for inhibiting the growth, development, survival, or viability of an insect. The methods can include, or consist essentially of, applying an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA (or a composition including an insecticidal agent including (a) a single-stranded NAA, and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) to the insect. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can have the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide. The NAA can include from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. The NAA can be complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript. The NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. The NAA can consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197. The NAA can have a peptide backbone. The peptide backbone can include peptide-linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. The one or more nucleobases of the NAA can be attached to the peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages. The NAA can include one or more modified nucleobases. The modified nucleobase can be hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, or 5 hydroxymethylcytosine. The NAA can target an essential gene in a pest insect. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera. The NAA can target an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera Coleoptera and Hemiptera The essential gene can be a gene that encodes a alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase, cap-n-collar, chitin synthase, chymotrypsin, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299. The NAA can target an essential gene in a H. armigera, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382. The NAA can target an essential gene in a S. frugiperda, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268. The NAA can target an essential gene in a D. saccharalis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:238, 241, and 245. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350- 356. The NAA can target an essential gene in a N. viridula, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336. The NAA can target an essential gene in a A. grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227. The NAA can target an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and the NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225. The polypeptide can be a PDP. The PDP can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461 The insecticidal agent can include in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The insecticidal agent can include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide. The polypeptide can include a NLS. The NLS can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. The insecticidal agent can be conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system. The carrier system can be lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin- MC3-DMA, DSPC, cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, PLGA, PEI, PLL, PBAEs, hPBAE, CART, PAMAM, PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, or LDH clay nanosheets. The insect can be a pest insect. The applying can include spraying. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety In case of conflict the present specification including definitions will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows the effect of NAA length on insect mortality. Figure 2 shows the effect of NAA on insect mortality at various larvae stages. Figure 3 shows the effect of NAA-PDP on insect mortality. Figure 4 shows the effect of NAA-linker-PDP using various linkers on insect mortality. Figure 5 shows the effect of PDP-NAA-NLS using various nuclear localization signals (NLSs) on insect mortality. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This document provides methods and materials for managing pests. For example, this document provides insecticidal agents that include (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to reduce or eliminate expression of an essential gene within an insect. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be used to inhibit the growth, development, survival, and / or viability of an insect. An insecticidal agent provided herein (e.g., an insecticidal agent that includes (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be resistant to degradation (e.g., protease and nuclease degradation). For example, an insecticidal agent provided herein can be more resistant to degradation than other insecticidal agents that include nucleic acid. Any appropriate method can be used to determine resistance to degradation. For example, when an insecticidal agent is an insecticidal agent that includes nucleic acid, resistance to degradation can be determined by incubating the insecticidal agent with one or more nucleases (e.g., S1 nuclease and / or DNAse I) and / or one or more proteinases (e.g., fungal proteinase K and / or porcine intestinal mucosa peptidase). When an insecticidal no effect on the integrity of the insecticidal agent. When an insecticidal agent provided herein is incubated with one or more nucleases, the nuclease(s) have little to no effect on the integrity of the insecticidal agent. In some cases, resistance to degradation can be determined as described elsewhere (see, e.g., Demidov et al., Nucleic Acids Res.21:2103–2107 (1993); and Demidov et al., Biochem. Pharmacol.48:1310–1313 (1994)). An insecticidal agent provided herein can include a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA in any appropriate order. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include a NAA attached at the N-terminus of a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include a NAA attached at the C-terminus of a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. Any appropriate method can be used to attach a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) to a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA to generate an insecticidal agent provided herein. In some cases, a NAA can be fused to a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. For example, an insecticidal agent provided herein can be synthesized by iterative addition of monomers (e.g., amino acids) in which the reactants are subjected to the successive chemical reactions in a single reaction vessel. In some cases, a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be directly attached. In some cases, a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be indirectly attached. For example, a NAA and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be separated by a linker. In some cases, a linker can be a peptide linker. In some cases, a linker can be a flexible linker. When a NAA and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA of an insecticidal agent provided herein are separated by a linker, the linker can be any appropriate linker. Examples of linkers that can be used to separate a NAA and a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA of an insecticidal agent provided herein include, without limitation, those linkers shown in Example 4 (see, e.g., Table 4). An insecticidal agent provided herein (e.g., an insecticidal agent that includes (a) a NAA and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can include any appropriate NAA. In some cases, a NAA can be a single stranded NAA. In some cases, a NAA can be a double stranded NAA. A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can have any appropriate type of backbone. In some cases, a NAA backbone can be a sugar backbone. For example, a NAA backbone can include deoxyribose and / or ribose sugars connected by phosphorothioate bonds and / or phosphorodiamidate bonds. In some cases, a NAA backbone can include units of ribose sugars connected by phosphodiester bonds, in which each ribose ring is constrained by a methylene linkage between the 2'-oxygen and the 4'-carbon. In some cases, a NAA backbone can include morpholine rings connected by phosphorodiamidate linkages. In some cases, a NAA backbone can be a polyamide (e.g., a peptide) backbone. In some cases, a NAA backbone can have a neutral charge. A peptide backbone can include any appropriate polyamide units. Examples of polyamide units that can be used in a polyamide backbone include, without limitation, N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine, L-ornithine residues, D-ornithine residues, and ȕ- aminoalanine monomers (e.g., ȕ-aminoalanine monomers interlinked by glycine spacers). A peptide backbone can include any appropriate type of linkage between each peptide unit. In some cases, a linkage can be a peptide bond. Examples of linkages that can be used to link consecutive peptide units within a peptide backbone include, without limitation, thioamide bonds, carbamate bonds, thiocarbamate bonds, ester bonds, thioester bonds, and sulfonamide bonds. In some cases, a NAA can include a peptide backbone comprising peptide-linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine. In cases where a peptide backbone includes one or more N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine units, the N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine unit(s) can include one or more modifications (e.g., to enhance stability, solubility, and / or sequence specificity of the NAA). For example, a N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine unit can be modified at the alpha, beta, and / or gamma positions. When a N-(2- aminoethyl) glycine unit is modified, the N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine unit can include any appropriate modification. For example, a N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine unit can be modified through the incorporation of L-serine, guanidine, and / or a mini-PEG. In some cases, a backbone of a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein does not contain deoxyribose sugars. In some cases, a backbone of a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein does not contain ribose sugars In some cases, a backbone of a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein does not contain phosphodiester bonds. A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include any appropriate types of nucleobases. A nucleobase can be naturally occurring or synthetic. Examples of nucleobases include, without limitation, adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil. Nucleobases can be attached to the backbone of the NAA (e.g., a peptide backbone) by any appropriate means. A NAA can include any appropriate type of linkage between a nucleobase and the NAA backbone (e.g., a peptide backbone). Examples of linkages that can be used to link a nucleobase to a NAA backbone include, without limitation, methylene carbonyl linkages, alkylene linkages, thiocarboxymethylene linkages, carbamate methylene linkages, thiocarbamate methylene linkages, amide methylene linkages, thioamide methylene linkages, sulfonamide methylene linkages, sulfonate methylene linkages, ester methylene linkages, and thioester methylene linkages. In some cases, one or more nucleobases of a NAA can be attached to the backbone of the NAA by methylene carbonyl linkages. In some cases, a nucleobase can include one or more modifications (e.g., to enhance stability, solubility, and / or sequence specificity of the NAA). Examples of modified nucleobases that can be used in a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6- dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, and 5-bromouracil. A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) a target gene in any appropriate insect. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can target a target gene present in a pest insect (e.g., an insect that can harm or destroy crop plants). In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can target a target gene present in an insect from an order of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, or Trichoptera. In some cases, a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) a target gene in an insect from the order Lepidoptera. Examples of insects that are in the order Lepidoptera include, without limitation, A. orthogonia (western cutworm); A. rosana (European leaf roller); A. subterranea (granulate cutworm); A. variana (Eastern blackheaded budworm); Achroia grisella (lesser wax moth); Adoxophyes orana (summer fruit Alsophila pometaria (fall cankerworm); Amyelois transitella (naval orangeworm); Anagasta kuehniella (Mediterranean flour moth); Anarsia lineatella (peach twig borer); and Orgyia spp; and other Archips species; Anisota senatoria (orange striped oakworm); Antheraea pernyi (Chinese Oak Tussah Moth); Anticarsia gemmatalis (velvetbean caterpillar); Archips argyrospila (fruit tree leaf roller); Argyrotaenia spp.; Athetis mindara (rough skinned cutworm); Bombyx mori (Silkworm); Bonagota salubricola (Brazilian apple leafroller); Bucculatrix thurberiella (cotton leaf perforator); C. partellus (sorghum borer); C. pomonella (coding moth); C. teterrellus (bluegrass webworm); Cadra cautella (almond moth); Chilo suppressalis (rice stem borer); Choristoneura spp; Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (rice leaf roller); Cochylis hospes (banded sunflower moth); Colias eurytheme (alfalfa caterpillar); Corcyra cephalonica (rice moth); Crambus caliginosellus (corn root webworm); Cydia latiferreana (filbertworm); D. nitidalis (pickleworm); Datana integerrima (walnut caterpillar); Dendrolimus sibiricus (Siberian silk moth); Desmia funeralis (grape leaffolder); Diaphania hyalinata (melon worm); Diatraea grandiosella (southwestern corn borer); Diatraea saccharalis (surgarcane borer); E. vittella (spotted bollworm); Earias insulana (spiny bollworm); Egira curialis (citrus cutworm); Elasmopalpus lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer); Endopiza viteana (grape berry moth); Ennomos subsignaria (elm spanworm); Eoreuma loftini (Mexican rice borer); Ephestia elutella (tobacco (cacao) moth); Erannis tiliaria (linden looper); Eupoecilia ambiguella (vine moth); Euproctis chrysorrhoea (browntail moth); Euxoa messoria (darksided cutworm); Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth); Grapholita molesta (oriental fruit moth); Harrisina americana (grapeleaf skeletonizer); Helicoverpa armigera (American bollworm); Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (South American bollworm); Helicoverpa zea (corn earworm or cotton bollworm); Heliothis subflexa; Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm); Hemileuca oliviae (range caterpillar); Herpetogramma licarsisalis (sod webworm); Homoeosoma electellum (sunflower moth); Hypena scabra (green cloverworm); Hyphantria cunea (fall webworm); Keiferia lycopersicella (tomato pinworm); L. fiscellaria lugubrosa (Western hemlock looper); Lambdina fiscellaria (Eastern hemlock looper); Leucinodes elegantalis (Tomato fruit borer); Leucoma salicis (satin moth); Lobesia botrana (European grape vine moth); Loxostege sticticalis (beet webworm); Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth); M. brassicae (cabbage moth); M. sexta (tomato hornworm, tobacco hornworm); Malacosoma spp; Mamestra configurata (bertha armyworm); Manduca borer); Melanchra picta (zebra caterpillar); Operophtera brumata (winter moth); Orthaga thyrisalis (tea tree web moth); Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer); P. napi (green veined white butterfly); P. rapae (small white butterfly); P. stultana (omnivorous leafroller); Paleacrita vernata (spring cankerworm); Papilio cresphontes (giant swallowtail orange dog); Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm); Phryganidia californica (California oakworm); Phyllocnistis citrella (citrus leafminer); Phyllonorycter blancardella (spotted tentiform leafminer); Pieris brassicae (large white butterfly); Platynota flavedana (variegated leafroller); Platyptilia carduidactyla (artichoke plume moth); Plodia interpunctella (Indian meal moth); Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth); Pontia protodice (Southern cabbageworm); Pseudaletia unipuncta (armyworm); Pseudoplusia includens (soybean looper); Rachiplusia ñu (sunflower looper); S. cosmioides (black armyworm); S. eridania (Southern Military Caterpillar); S. exigua (beet armyworm); S. litura (tobacco cutworm, cluster caterpillar); Sabulodes aegrotata (omnivorous looper); Schizura concinna (red humped caterpillar); Scirpophaga incertulas (yellow stem borer); Sitotroga cerealella (Angoumois grain moth); Spilonota ocellana (eyespotted bud moth); Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm); Suleima helianthana (sunflower bud moth); Thaumetopoea pityocampa (pine processionary caterpillar); Tineola bisselliella (webbing clothesmoth); Tortricidae Acleris gloverana (Western blackheaded budworm); Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper); Tuta absoluta (tomato leafminer); Udea rubigalis (celery leaftier); and Yponomeuta padella (ermine moth). In some cases, a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) a target gene in an insect from the order Coleoptera. In some cases, an insect in the order Coleoptera can be a weevil. Examples of insects in the order Coleoptera include, without limitation, Aeolus spp.; Agriotes spp.; Anthonomus grandis (boll weevil); C. immaculata (southern masked chafer, white grub); Chaetocnema pulicaria (corn flea beetle); Colaspis brunnea (grape colaspis); Conoderus spp.; Ctenicera spp.; Cyclocephala borealis (northern masked chafer, white grub); Cylindrocopturus adspersus (sunflower stem weevil); D. barberi (northern corn rootworm); D. undecimpunctata howardi (southern corn rootworm); Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (western corn rootworm); Eleodes spp., Melanotus spp.; Epilachna varivestis (Mexican bean beetle); Hypera punctata (clover leaf weevil); Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle); Ligyrus gibbosus (carrot beetle); Limonius spp; Phyllophaga crinita (white grub); Phyllotreta cruciferae (Crucifer flea beetle); Phyllotreta striolata (stripped flea beetle); Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle); Rhizotrogus majalis (European chafer); Rhyssomatus subtilis (black soybean weevil); S. oryzae (rice weevil); S. sordidus (gray sunflower seed weevil); Sitophilus granarius (granary weevil); Smicronyx fulvus (red sunflower seed weevil); Sphenophorus maidis (maize billbug); Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle); and Zygogramma exclamationis (sunflower beetle). In some cases, a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) a target gene in an insect from the order Diptera. Examples of insects in the order Diptera include, without limitation, Chrysomya spp.; Chrysops spp.; Contarinia sorghicola (sorghum midge); Culex spp.; D. coarctata (wheat bulb fly) and other Delia spp. ; Delia platura (seedcorn maggot); Fannia canicularis, F. femoralis (lesser house flies); Gastrophilus spp.; Hypoderma spp.; Mayetiola destructor (Hessian fly); Melophagus ovinus Linnaeus (keds); Meromyza americana (wheat stem maggot); Musca domestica (house flies); Neolasioptera murtfeldtiana (sunflower seed midge); Oestrus spp.; Oscinella frit (fruit flies); Phormia spp.; Prosimulium spp.; Simulium spp.; Sitodiplosis mosellana (wheat midge); Stomoxys calcitrans (stable flies); Tabanus spp.. In some cases, a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) a target gene in an insect from the order Hemiptera. Examples of insects in the order Hemiptera include, without limitation, Acrosternum hilare (green stink bug); Anasa tristis (squash bug); Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (chinch bug); Corythuca gossypii (cotton lace bug); Aphis fabae (Black Bean Aphid); Acyrthosiphum pisum (pea aphid); Cyrtopeltis modesta (tomato bug); Brevicoryne brassicae (Cabbage aphid); Cavariella aegopodii (willow- carrot aphid); Aphis craccivora (cowpea aphid); Sitobion avenae (grain aphid); Oebalus poecilus (rice stink bug); Toxoptera aurantii (black citrus aphid); Dysdercus suturellus (cotton stainer); Euschistus servus (brown stink bug); E. variolarius (one-spotted stink bug); Graptostethus spp. (complex of seed bugs); Leptoglossus corculus (leaf-footed pine seed bug); Lygus lineolaris (tarnished plant bug); L. hesperus (Western tarnished plant bug); L. pratensis (common meadow bug); L. rugulipennis (European tarnished plant bug); Lygocoris pabulinus (common green capsid); Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug); Bagrada hilaris (bagrada bug); Halyomorpha halys (brown marmorated stink bug); Diaphorina citri (Asian citrus psyllid); Oebalus pugnax (rice stink bug); Oncopeltus fasciatus (large milkweed bug); Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (cotton fleahopper). A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can target (e.g., to regulate expression of) any appropriate target gene. In some cases, a NAA can target an essential gene of an insect (e.g., a gene that is vital for that insect’s survival such as a gene that is required for one or more cells within the insect to grow, proliferate, and / or survive). A NAA can regulate expression of its target gene by any appropriate mechanism. For example, a NAA can be designed to hybridize with a regulatory region (e.g., a promoter, an enhancer, or a promoter- adjacent sequence) of a gene, a coding region of a gene, or a non-coding region (e.g., a 5ƍ UTR) or a sequence flanking the start codon of a gene) of a gene. In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) a promoter region of a target gene (e.g., thereby restricting access of a polymerase to the promoter region and interfering with gene transcription). In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) a splice site within a target gene (e.g., thereby leading to altered mRNA processing and reducing the amount of functional protein). In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) a transcript (e.g., a mRNA) (e.g., thereby blocking translation and resulting in down-regulation of a polypeptide encoded by that transcript). In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) a non-coding RNA responsible for expression of a target gene. In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) a location that is from about 100 bases downstream to about 100 bases upstream of a transcription start site of a target gene. Examples of genes (e.g., insect genes) that can be targeted by a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein include, without limitation, a nucleic acid (e.g., a gene, a regulatory region, or a transcript) that encodes any one of juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase, pheromone biosynthesis-activating peptide, molt regulating transcription factor, activated protein 4, eclosion hormone precursor, trypsin-like serine protease 1, trypsin- like serine protease 13, arginine kinase, chymotrypsin 4 , cysteine-protease, glutathione S- transferase, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 6 AE14, fatty acyl-CoA reductase, chitin synthase 2, testis-specific serine / threonine kinases 1, Bactrocera dorsalis tektin-1, vacuolar-type ATPase A, vacuolar-sorting protein snf7, ribosomal protein S13, proteasome 20S subunit alpha 2, inhibitor-of-apoptosis snakeskin cuticle protein 64 PSMB5 proteasome 20S subunit beta 5 activation neuropeptide, ecdysone receptor, chitin synthase 1, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, juvenile hormone binding protein, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 6 CY3, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase 15 C1, NADH dehydrogenase, male-specific-lethal 3, UDP- glycosyltransferases, plasma membrane calcium ATPase, glucosidase 2 beta subunit, GDP dissociation inhibitor, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, alpha-subunit, meltrin, regulator of chromosome condensation 1, rickets, thymidylate synthase, vacuolar H[+]-ATPase 55kD subunit, schnurri, odd skipped, adenylosuccinate lyase, small bristles, phosphoribosylformylglycinamidine synthase, brahma, SNF4 / AMP-activated protein kinase gamma subunit, novel nucleolar protein 2, dumpy, RNA polymerase II subunit B, snustorr, hephaestus, Sp1-like factor for pairing sensitive-silencing, aaRS-interacting multifunctional protein 1, kazachoc, asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase, transcription factor IIB, myocyte enhancer factor 2, transcription factor B4, DNA primase subunit 2, syntaxin 4, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase, vacuolar H[+] ATPase 14kD subunit 1, SET domain containing 8, ribosomal protein L19, Pi3K21B, glucosidase 2 alpha subunit, aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, proteasome alpha6 subunit, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, beta-subunit, carnation, methionine sulfoxide reductase A, integrin linked kinase, tumor susceptibility gene 101, HP1 and insulator partner protein 1, shifted, Rab geranylgeranyltransferase subunit beta, proteasome beta6 subunit, U4-U6 small nuclear riboprotein factor 60K, microfibril-associated protein 1, chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 8, vacuolar H[+] ATPase 68 kDa subunit 2, tryptophanyl- tRNA synthetase, Brahma associated protein 60kD, poly(A) binding protein, double parked, structural maintenance of chromosomes 3, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, mitochondrial, vacuolar protein sorting 4, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1, mediator complex subunit 10, RNA polymerase I and III subunit C, notch, suppressor of cytokine signaling at 44A, moira, polo, shaker cognate b, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) acyl carrier protein, argonaute-1, septin interacting protein 1, mini spindles, microtubule star, secretion-associated Ras-related 1, ribosomal protein L4, tetraspanin 2A, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit d1, capping protein beta, borealin-related, regulatory particle triple-A ATPase 2, proteasome beta3 subunit, structural maintenance of chromosomes 3, squid, actin-related protein 2 / 3 complex, mitochondrial ribosomal protein S23, geminin, regulatory particle triple-A ATPase 5, splicing factor 3b subunit 1 embargoed glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase integrator 2 lysyl-tRNA proteasome alpha7 subunit, vacuolar H[+] ATPase 36kD subunit 3, tetratricopeptide repeat domain 1, reptin, nucleoporin 205kd, secretory 15, proteasome beta1 subunit, stromal interaction molecule, imitation SWI, vacuolar protein sorting 2, DNA polymerase alpha subunit 2, spt6, shattered, heat shock protein 83, proteasome beta2 subunit-related 1, topoisomerase 1, bystin, CTCF, ecdysoneless, minichromosome maintenance 2, prefoldin 2, effete, signal recognition particle receptor beta, osiris 17, schlaff, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A, vermiform, ATPase H+ transporting accessory protein 2, charged multivesicular body protein 1, ribosomal protein L13A, aminolevulinate synthase, cell division cycle 42, domino, peritrophin A, minichromosome maintenance 6, nucleoporin 107kD, fatty acid synthase 1, GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase B, mucin related 89F, ATP citrate lyase, DEAH-box helicase 15, p115, succinate dehydrogenase, subunit A (flavoprotein), CAP-D2 condensin subunit, SLY-1 homologous, Brahma associated protein 170kD, ribosomal protein l9, ribosomal protein L10Ab, glycyl-tRNA synthetase, insulin-like receptor, isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit m, splicing factor 3b subunit 3, RNA polymerase II, I and III subunit E, mitochondrial transcription termination factor 5, PAPS synthetase, fermitin 1, pabp2, glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase, mitochondrial ribosomal protein L4, ribosomal protein L7A, short wing, expansion, pixie, cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 5, phosphoglyceromutase 78, arsenic resistance protein 2, haywire, cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 160, zinc / iron regulated transporter-related protein 89B, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B subunit alpha, cap-n-collar, onecut, unc-13, bestrophin 2, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, Zn finger homeodomain 2, ATP synthase, subunit D, regulator of chromosome condensation 1, topoisomerase 2, rrp42, reduction in cnn dots 5, ichor, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 24 kDa subunit-like, RNA polymerase III subunit C, open rectifier K[+] channel 1, fat, water witch, ftz transcription factor 1, cytochrome P450303a1, PAR-domain protein 1, pumilio, Roe1, cadherin 96Ca, blistered, stripe, adenylate kinase 2, heartless, vacuolar H[+] ATPase 100kD subunit 1, hormone receptor 3, mtr3, eukaryotic translation release factor 1, partner of sld five 3, ADP ribosylation factor-like 2, piccolo, RabX2, pre-mRNA processing factor 38, and pellino. In some cases, a NAA can target a gene that can encode any of the following polypeptides: acetylcholinesterase, activated protein 4, alpha-coatomer protein, arginine kinase cap-n-collar chitin synthase chymotrypsin cytochrome P450 monooxygenase myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A. A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can be any appropriate length (e.g., can include any appropriate number of nucleobases). In some cases, a NAA can be from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length. For example, a NAA can be from about 8 to about 25, from about 8 to about 20, from about 8 to about 18, from about 8 to about 15, from about 8 to about 12, from about 8 to about 10, from about 10 to about 30, from about 12 to about 30, from about 15 to about 30, from about 18 to about 30, from about 20 to about 30, from about 22 to about 30, from about 25 to about 30, from about 10 to about 25, from about 12 to about 20, from about 15 to about 18, from about 10 to about 15, from about 12 to about 18, from about 15 to about 20, from about 18 to about 22, from about 20 to about 25, or from about 22 to about 28 nucleobases in length. For example, a NAA can be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nucleobases in length. A NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can have any appropriate nucleobase sequence. In some cases, a NAA can have (e.g., can be designed to have) a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to at least a portion (e.g., a contiguous portion) of its target gene such that the NAA can bind its target gene with high affinity and specificity. In some cases, a NAA can have (e.g., can be designed to have) from 8 to about 30 nucleobases (e.g., contiguous nucleobases) that are complementary to at least a portion (e.g., a contiguous portion) of its target gene. In some cases, a NAA can target (e.g., can be designed to target) at least a portion (e.g., a contiguous portion) of the template strand of its target gene. For example, a NAA can have (e.g., can be designed to have) from 8 to about 30 nucleobases (e.g., contiguous nucleobases) that are complementary to a contiguous portion of the template strand of its target gene that is from about 100 bases downstream to about 100 bases upstream of the transcription start site of the target gene. In some cases, a NAA can target at least a portion (e.g., a contiguous portion) of a transcript (e.g., a mRNA) of its target gene. For example, a NAA can have (e.g., can be designed to have) from 8 to about 30 nucleobases (e.g., contiguous nucleobases) that are complementary to a contiguous portion of a transcript (e.g., a mRNA) of its target gene that is within about 100 bases (eg within about 90 about 80 about 70 about 60 about 50 about 40 designed to have) from 8 to about 30 nucleobases (e.g., contiguous nucleobases) that are complementary to a contiguous portion of a transcript (e.g., a mRNA) of its target gene that is from about 100 bases downstream to about 100 bases upstream of the start codon of the transcript. In some cases, a NAA can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. Examples of NAAs that comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 include, without limitation, the nucleobase sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:1-197. Any appropriate method can be used to determine a high affinity and / or specificity. In some cases, high affinity and / or specificity can be determined as described in, for example, Nielsen et al., Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 1:89–104 (1999) and Kilså Jensen et al., Biochemistry 36:5072–5077 (1997). In some cases, a NAA that consists essentially of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 can include the nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 with zero, one, or two nucleobase substitutions within the articulated sequence of the sequence identifier (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860), with zero, one, two, three, four, or five nucleobases preceding the articulated sequence of the sequence identifier (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860), and / or with zero, one, two, three, four, or five nucleobases following the articulated sequence of the sequence identifier (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860), provided that the NAA retains the ability to target (e.g., to regulate expression of) of its target gene. In some cases, a NAA that consists essentially of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 can have at least 90% sequence identity to a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860. For example, a NAA that consists essentially of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 of SEQ ID NOs:487-860 can have 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to the articulated sequence of the sequence identifier (e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 of SEQ ID NOs:487-860), provided that the NAA retains the ability to target (e.g., to regulate expression of) of its target gene. In some cases a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include a In some cases, a NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) one or more additional components. In some cases, a NAA can be conjugated to one or more aminoglycosides such as neamine (e.g., to enhance hybridization and improve cellular internalization of the insecticidal agent). In some cases, a NAA can be conjugated to one or more branched polypeptides (e.g., to allow a single NAA to be attached to two or more polypeptides at the same terminus (e.g., the N-terminus or the C-terminus) of the NAA). For example, a NAA that is conjugated to a branched polypeptide can have two different polypeptides attached to a single terminus of the NAA. For example, a NAA that is conjugated to a branched polypeptide can have two copies of the same polypeptide attached to a single terminus of the NAA. An insecticidal agent provided herein (e.g., an insecticidal agent that includes (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can include any appropriate polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can promote delivery of an insecticidal agent provided herein to an insect cell. For example, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can have one or more physicochemical properties that can enable the insecticidal agent to penetrate a cell membrane (e.g., of an insect cell). In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can promote adherence of an insecticidal agent provided herein to a cell (e.g., a plant cell). For example, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can have one or more physicochemical properties that can enable the insecticidal agent to adhere to a cell (e.g., a plant cell). In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can promote absorption of an insecticidal agent provided herein into a cell (e.g., a plant cell). For example, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can have one or more physicochemical properties that can enable absorption of an insecticidal agent provided herein into a plant cell. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can promote resistance to degradation. For example, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can promote absorption of an insecticidal agent provided herein into a plant cell, thereby reducing exposure of the insecticidal agent to one or more degradation factors such as UV exposure. For example, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can have the ability to assemble into a capsule thereby reducing exposure of the NAA to one or more A polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include any appropriate polypeptide. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be a polycationic polypeptide. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be an amphipathic polypeptide. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be a hydrophobic polypeptide. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be a protection and delivery polypeptide (PDP). In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA can be plant specific (e.g., to allow internalization of the insecticidal agent into plant cells, which can then be ingested by an insect to allow the insecticidal agent to enter one or more insect cells within the insect). A polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can be any appropriate length (e.g., can have any appropriate number of amino acids). In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can be from about 9 amino acids to about 40 amino acids in length (e.g., from about 9 to about 35, from about 9 to about 30, from about 9 to about 25, from about 9 to about 20, from about 9 to about 15, from about 15 to about 40, from about 20 to about 40, from about 25 to about 40, from about 30 to about 40, from about 35 to about 40, from about 15 to about 35, from about 20 to about 30, from about 15 to about 25, or from about 25 to about 35, amino acids in length). A polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can have (e.g., can be designed to have) any appropriate amino acid sequence. A polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) L amino acids, D amino acids, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461. Examples of polypeptides that can enhance the activity of the NAA and can be used in an insecticidal agent provided herein include, without limitation, those polypeptides shown in Table 2. Table 2 Exemplary Protection and Delivery Peptides (PDPs)

[0003] In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can have (e.g., can be designed to have) a nuclear localization signal (e.g., to deliver the insecticidal agent to the nucleus of an insect cell). A nuclear localization signal can include L amino acids, D amino acids, or a combination thereof. A nuclear localization signal can have any appropriate amino acid sequence. In some cases, a nuclear localization signal can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471. Examples of nuclear localization signals that can be included in a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA and can be used in an insecticidal agent provided herein include, without limitation, those nuclear localization signals shown in Table 3. Table 3. Exemplary Nuclear Localization Signal Sequences. Additional examples of nuclear localization signals that can be used in an insecticidal In some cases, a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA present in an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a cleavage signal that can be cleaved by a polypeptide present in a cell within an insect (e.g., to release the NAA from the insecticidal agent inside the cell, thereby enhancing the effects of the insecticidal agent). In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein (e.g., an insecticidal agent that includes (a) a NAA (e.g., a single-stranded NAA) and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can include (e.g., can be designed to include) one or more additional components. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can be conjugated to one or more additional polypeptides having the ability to bind to a molecule present on the surface of a plant cell (e.g., to maintain the insecticidal agent on the surface of the plant cell). Examples of molecules present on the surface of a plant cell include, without limitation, cellulose, xylan, chitin, and lignin. For example, an insecticidal agent provided herein can be conjugated to a polypeptide that can bind cellulose, a polypeptide that can bind xylan, a polypeptide that can bind chitin, and / or a polypeptide that can bind lignin. In some cases where an insecticidal agent provided herein is conjugated to one or more polypeptides having the ability to bind to a molecule present on the surface of a plant cell, the polypeptide having the ability to bind to a molecule present on the surface of a plant cell also can include a cleavage signal that can be cleaved by a polypeptide present in the gut of an insect (e.g., to release the insecticidal agent from plant cell). In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a chitin synthase 2 polypeptide in a pest of maize crops such as H. zea. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285 and a penetratin polypeptide (eg a penetratin polypeptide having the includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a vacuolar-type ATPase A polypeptide in a pest of maize crops such as H. zea. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a peritrophin A polypeptide in a pest of maize crops such as S. frugiperda. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a vacuolar-type ATPase polypeptide in a pest of maize crops such as S. frugiperda. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode an inhibitor of apoptosis polypeptide in a pest of maize, sugarcane, and / or sorghum crops such as D. saccharalis. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises consists essentially of or consists of a nucleobase sequence set encode a vacuolar-type ATPase A polypeptide in a pest of maize, sugarcane, and / or sorghum crops such as D. saccharalis. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase polypeptide in a pest of a cotton crop such as A. grandis. In some cases, an insecticidal agent provided herein can include (e.g., can be designed to include) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332 and a penetratin polypeptide (e.g., a penetratin polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:386). For example, an insecticidal agent that includes a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332 and a penetratin polypeptide can be used to target a gene that can encode a vacuolar-type ATPase A polypeptide in a pest of soybean and / or rice such as N. viridula. One or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be formulated into a composition (e.g., for administration to an insect population). For example, an effective amount of one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be formulated together with one or more carriers (e.g., to deliver the one or more insecticidal agents to an insect cell within an insect). For example, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be conjugated to and / or encapsulated within a carrier system (e.g., an inorganic carrier system). In some cases, a carrier system can be a lipidic carrier system. In some cases, a carrier system can be a polymeric carrier system. In some cases, a carrier system can be a lipid-polymer hybrid system. In some cases, a carrier system can include one or more nanomaterials Examples of carrier systems that one or include, without limitation, lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin-MC3- DMA, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000-DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyethylenimine (PEI), poly(l-lysine) (PLL), poly(betaamino ester)s (PBAEs), hyperbranched PBAE (hPBAE), charge-altering releasable transporter (CART), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, and layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanosheets. A composition including one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be formulated (e.g., for application to an insect population and / or to a plant) in solid (e.g., soluble solid) or liquid form including, without limitation, solutions, suspensions, powders, and granules. In some cases, a composition including one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be formulated as a liquid that can be sprayed (e.g., as a foliar spray). In some cases, two or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, or more) insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be formulated into a composition (e.g., for administration to an insect population). For example, a composition can be designed to include two or more insecticidal agents provided herein such that the composition targets multiple genes (e.g., essential genes) of an insect pest (e.g., such that each insecticidal agent in the composition can target a different gene of an insect pest). In some cases, a composition can include two or more insecticidal agents provided herein where each insecticidal agent in the composition can target a gene involved in a different stage of development of an insect (e.g., egg, larva, pupa, and adult). In some cases, a composition can include two or more insecticidal agents provided herein where each insecticidal agent in the composition can target a gene involved in different metabolic pathways (eg molting pathways, chitin synthesis pathways, pheromone biosynthesis pathways, and detoxification pathways). In some cases, a composition can be designed to include two or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, or more) insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be formulated into a composition (e.g., for administration to an insect population) such that the composition targets multiple insect pests. For example, a composition can include two or more insecticidal agents provided herein where each insecticidal agent in the composition can target a gene (e.g., an essential gene) of a different insect species (e.g., such that the composition can be used to manage more than one insect species at the same time). This document also provides methods for using the insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA). In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., a composition including one or more insecticidal agents provided herein) can be applied (e.g., applied as a spray such as a foliar spray) to an insect population to manage that insect population. For example, one or more insecticidal agents can be applied to an insect population to reduce or eliminate expression of a target gene (e.g., an essential gene) within an insect in the insect population to reduce the number of insects within the population (or to eliminate the insect population), thereby managing that insect population. For example, one or more insecticidal agents can be applied to an insect population to inhibit the growth, development, survival, and / or viability of an insect in the insect population to reduce the number of insects within the population (or to eliminate the insect population), thereby managing that insect population. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., a composition including one or more insecticidal agents provided herein) can be applied (e.g., applied as a spray such as a foliar spray) to a plant having an insect infestation to treat that plant. For example, one or more insecticidal agents can be applied to a plant having an insect infestation to reduce or eliminate the number of insects present on the some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., a composition including one or more insecticidal agents provided herein) can be applied (e.g., applied as a spray such as a foliar spray) to a plant substrate of a plant (e.g., the soil in which the plant is growing) having an insect infestation to treat that plant. For example, one or more insecticidal agents can be applied to a plant substrate (e.g., soil) of a plant having an insect infestation to reduce or eliminate to reduce the number of insects present on the plant (or to eliminate the number of insects present on the plant), thereby treating that plant. In some cases, a composition containing one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be applied to an insect population and / or a plant having an insect infestation to reduce or eliminate the number of insects in the insect population and / or the number of insects present on the plant. For example, a composition containing one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be applied to an insect population to reduce the number of insects in the population by, for example, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, or more percent. In another example, a composition containing one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be applied to a plant having an insect infestation to reduce the number of insects present on the plant by, for example, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, or more percent. When the methods and materials provided herein are used to manage an insect population, the insect population can include any type of insects. In some cases, an insect population that can be managed as described herein can include a single type (e.g., a single species) of insect. In some cases, an insect population that can be managed as described herein can include two or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or more) different types (e.g., different species) of insects. In some cases, an insect population that can be managed as described herein can include at least one species of pest insect. For example, an insect population that can be managed as described herein can include at least one species of insect from the order Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, or Hemiptera. When the methods and materials provided herein are used to treat a plant having an insect infestation the plant can be any type of plant In some cases a plant that can be treated as In some cases, a plant that can be treated as described herein can be a crop plant. When one or more insecticidal agents provided herein are applied to a crop plant, the insecticidal agent(s) can be applied to a field of crop plants (e.g., an intensive crop field or an extensive crop field). A plant that can be treated as described herein can be at any stage of plant growth (e.g., seed, germination, seedling growth, vegetative growth, and reproductive growth). Examples of plants that can have insect infestations and can be treated as described herein include, without limitation, alfalfa, apple, apricot, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, banana, barley, bean (e.g., fava bean and soybean), beet, blackberry, blueberry, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, canola, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chestnut, cherry, Chinese cabbage, citrus, clementine, clover, coffee, corn, cotton, cowpea, cucumber, eggplant, endive, eucalyptus, fennel, figs, fruit and nut trees, grape, grapefruit, groundnuts, hemp, kale, kiwifruit, kohlrabi, lettuce, leek, lemon, lime, maize, mango, maple, melon, millet, mushroom, mustard, nuts, oats, onion, orange, papaya, palm, parsley, parsnip, peach, peanut, pear, pepper, persimmon, pigeon pea, pineapple, plantain, plum, pomegranate, potato, pumpkin, radicchio, radish, rapeseed, raspberry, rice, rye, sorghum, spinach, squash, strawberry, sugarbeet, sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, sweet corn, tangerine, tea, tobacco, tomato, triticale, walnut, watercress, watermelon, wheat, yam, and zucchini plants. In some cases, one or more insecticidal agents provided herein (e.g., one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) can be administered to an insect population and / or a plant having an insect infestation as the sole active agent(s) to manage the insect population and / or to treat the plant. In some cases, methods for managing an insect population and / or treating a plant having an insect infestation as described herein (e.g., by applying one or more insecticidal agents that each include (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382 or SEQ ID NOs:487-860 and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA) also can include applying one or more (e.g., one, two, three, or more) additional insecticidal agents. In some cases, an additional insecticidal agent that can be used in combination with one or more insecticidal agents provided used in combination with one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be an inactive substance. An additional insecticidal agent that can be used together with one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be an acaricide, a nematicide, a molluscicide, a sterilant, an herbicide, or a fungicide. An additional insecticidal agent that can be used together with one or more insecticidal agents provided herein can be an organophosphate, a cyclodiene, a fiprole, a pyrethroid, or a pyrethrin. Examples of additional insecticidal agents that can be used in combination with one or more insecticidal agents provided herein include, without limitation, DDT, DTT analogs, neonicotinoids, nicotine, sulfoximines, butenolides, spinosyns, avermectins, milbemycins, pymetrozine, flonicamid, nereistoxin analogs, formamidines, oxadiazines, semicarbazones, diamides, juvenoids, fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen, clofentezine, oxazoles, benzoylureas, buprofezin, cyromazine, diacylhydrazines, tetronic / tetramic acids, diafenthiuron, organotin miticides, propargite, tetradifon, chlorfenapyr, hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, MET I inhibitors, rotenone, phosphine, cyanide, 3-ketonitrile, derivatives, Bacillus thuringienis, Bacillus sphaericus, alkyl halides, chloropicrin, sulfuryl fluoride, borates, tartar emetic, azadirachtin, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromopropylate, chinomethionat, cryolite, dicofol, pyridalyl, pyrifluquinazon, acetamiprid, borax, carbosulfan, chlorantraniliprole, chlorfluazuron, flufenoxuron, imidacloprid, metaflumizone, pyraclofos, spinetoram, and thiamethoxam. The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. EXAMPLES Described herein are pest control methods and compositions comprising effector synthetic organic molecules that when ingested by an insect pest regulated gene expression of specific target genes. These molecules have a main NAA unit analogous to single strand oligonucleotides that interacts with complementary sequences of DNA or RNA with high affinity and specificity. The NAA is fused to a protection and delivery peptide (PDP) that promotes the effect and stability of the NAA. The NAAs contain a neutral pseudopeptide backbone of repeating N-(2-aminoethyl)- glycine in contrast to DNA and RNA in which the backbone consists of deoxyribose or ribose provided favorable properties. For example, the unnatural backbone of these NAAs made them resistant to protease and nuclease degradation. The neutral charge of these molecules eliminated electrostatic repulsions which have a negative effect on binding affinity, allowing the NAAs to hybridize complementary DNA and RNA with higher affinity and specificity (e.g., as compared to the affinity and specificity of DNA or RNA binding to complementary DNA or RNA strands). In addition, these molecules showed even better mismatch discrimination than natural nucleic acids, which resulted in lower off-target probabilities. Example 1: Length of NAAs Insects: Lepidopterans were grown in a lab environment, in a climate-controlled room (60±5% RH; 27±2° C.) using artificial diet and a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod. For experiments, Helicoverpa zea neonatal larvae were utilized. Larvae were reared individually. To evaluate ingestion the artificial diet pellets were overlaid with NAAs of different length (between 8-15 bases), linked to a PDP via a flexible linker. The NAAs were directed to the chitin synthase 2 gene and the corresponding sequences were: CGCCATGT (SEQ ID NO:472), CGCCATGTT (SEQ ID NO:473), CGCCATGTTT (SEQ ID NO:474), CGCCATGTTTT (SEQ ID NO:475), CGCCATGTTTTA (SEQ ID NO:303), GTCGCCATGTTTTA (SEQ ID NO:476), and CGTCGCCATGTTTTA(SEQ ID NO:477). The PDP selected for this assay was penetratin, the NAA was linked at the N-terminus of the PDP. Each solution containing NAA-PDP was tested at different concentrations (0 – 10 μM). When the diet with NAA was eaten up, sufficient artificial diet without NAA solution was provided. The mortality of larvae and the percent of weight reduction, compared to control larvae, were used as parameters for checking effect on phenotype after 14 days post-treatment. Data analysis: 30-50 insects were treated in each treatment, and the experiment was replicated for three times. Mortality was corrected using Abbott's formula. The effect of NAA length on insect mortality is shown in Figure 1. Example 2: NAA and Larvae Stages Insects: Lepidopterans were grown in a lab environment, in a climate-controlled room (60±5% RH; 27±2° C.) using artificial diet and a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod. For experiments, Treatment: In order to evaluate ingestion at different larvae instars, the artificial diet pellets were overlaid with a PDP-NAA solution at 1 μM concentration and a NAA length of 12 bases. The NAA was linked to a PDP via a flexible linker. The NAAs were directed to the chitin synthase 2 gene of H. zea: CGCCATGTTTTA (SEQ ID NO:303), peritrophin A of S. frugiperda CCTCATGTTTGC (SEQ ID NO:369), and inhibitor of apoptosis of D. Saccharalis ATCCATTCCACA (SEQ ID NO:245). Effect quantification: The mortality of larvae and the percent of weight reduction, compared to control larvae, were used as parameters for checking effect on phenotype after seven days post-treatment. Data analysis: 30-50 insects were treated in each treatment, and the experiment was replicated for three times. Mortality was corrected using Abbott's formula. The effect of NAA on insect mortality at neonatal and 3rdinstar stages is shown in Figure 2. Example 3: NAAs and PDPs Insects: Lepidopterans were grown in a lab environment, in a climate-controlled room (60±5% RH; 27±2° C.) using artificial diet and a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod. For experiments, Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera frugiperda, Diatraea saccharalis neonatal larvae were utilized. Larvae were reared individually. Treatment: In order to evaluate the effect of NAA attached to different PDPs, neonatal larvae were fed on the artificial diet pellets overlaid with PDP-NAA solutions at 1 μM concentration and a NAA length of 12 bases. The NAA was linked to the N terminus of the PDP via a flexible linker. The NAAs were directed to the chitin synthase 2 gene of H. zea: CGCCATGTTTTA (SEQ ID NO:303), peritrophin A of S. frugiperda CCTCATGTTTGC (SEQ ID NO:369), and inhibitor of apoptosis of D. Saccharalis ATCCATTCCACA (SEQ ID NO:245). Effect quantification: The mortality of larvae and the percent of weight reduction, compared to control larvae, were used as parameters for checking effect on phenotype after seven days post-treatment. Data analysis: 30-50 insects were treated in each treatment, and the experiment was

[0004] The effect of attaching the NAA to various PDPs on insect mortality is shown in Figure 3. Example 4: NAA-PDP and Linkers Insects: Lepidopterans were grown in a lab environment, in a climate-controlled room (60±5% RH; 27±2° C.) using artificial diet and a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod. For experiments, Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera frugiperda, Diatraea saccharalis neonatal larvae were utilized. Larvae were reared individually. Treatment: Neonatal larvae were fed on the artificial diet pellets overlaid with PDP- linker-NAA solutions at 1 μM concentration. NAA length was 12 bases and different linkers were evaluated to check variations in effectivity. The NAAs were directed to the vacuolar type ATPase gene and the corresponding sequences were: AGCCATGGTGAA (SEQ ID NO:285) (H. zea), GCTCATTTTGAA (SEQ ID NO:364) (S. frugiperda), CGCCATTTTGAA (SEQ ID NO:241) (D. Saccharalis). The PDP selected for this assay was penetratin. Effect quantification: The mortality of larvae and the percent of weight reduction, compared to control larvae, were used as parameters for checking effect on phenotype after seven days post-treatment. Data analysis: 30-50 insects were treated in each treatment, and the experiment was replicated for three times. Mortality was corrected using Abbott's formula. Table 4. Exemplary Linkers. The effect of using various linkers to attach NAA to a PDP is shown in Figure 4. Example 5: PDP-NAA and NLSs Insects: Lepidopterans were grown in a lab environment, in a climate-controlled room (60±5% RH; 27±2° C.) using artificial diet and a 14:10 (L:D) photoperiod. For experiments, Helicoverpa zea neonatal larvae were utilized. Larvae were reared individually. Treatment: Neonatal larvae were fed on the artificial diet pellets overlaid with PDP- NAA-NLS solutions at 1 μM concentration. The effect of adding a NLS to a PDP-NAA designed to inhibit transcription of a target gene was evaluated. NAA length was 12 bases and different NLSs were evaluated to check variations in effectivity. The NAA was directed to the acetylcholinesterase gene and the corresponding sequence was: TGGCATTAACGA (SEQ ID NO:307) (H. zea). The PDP selected for this assay was penetratin. Effect quantification: The mortality of larvae and the percent of weight reduction, compared to control larvae, were used as parameters for checking effect on phenotype after seven days post-treatment. Data analysis: 30-50 insects were treated in each treatment, and the experiment was replicated for three times. Mortality was corrected using Abbott's formula. Results: The effect of using various NLSs attached to a PDP-NAA is shown in Figure 5. Example 6: Exemplary NAA Nucleobase Sequences. Table 1. Exemplary NAA Nucleobase Sequences

[0005] OTHER EMBODIMENTS It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An insecticidal agent comprising (a) a single-stranded nucleic acid analog (NAA), and (b) a polypeptide that can enhance the activity of the NAA.

2. The insecticidal agent of claim 1, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises the NAA attached at the N-terminus of the polypeptide.

3. The insecticidal agent of claim 1, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises the NAA attached at the C-terminus of the polypeptide.

4. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the NAA comprises from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases in length.

5. The insecticidal agent of claim 4, wherein the NAA is complementary to: (a) at least a portion of its target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a transcription start site of the target gene, (b) at least a portion of a transcript of the target gene that is within 100 bases of a 5ƍ untranslated region of the transcript, or (c) at least a portion of the transcript of the target gene that is from about 100 bases upstream to about 100 bases downstream of a start codon of the transcript.

6. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-382.

7. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:487-860.

8. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the NAA consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1-197.

9. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the NAA comprises a peptide backbone.

10. The insecticidal agent of claim 9, wherein said peptide backbone comprises peptide- linked units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine.

11. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-10, wherein one or more nucleobases of said NAA are attached to said peptide backbone via methylene carbonyl linkages.

12. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the NAA comprises one or more modified nucleobases.

13. The insecticidal agent of claim 12, wherein said modified nucleobase is selected from the group consisting of hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5- methylcytosine, and 5 hydroxymethylcytosine.

14. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a pest insect.

15. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Mallophaga, Homoptera, Hemiptera Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Dermaptera, Isoptera, Anoplura, Siphonaptera, and Trichoptera.

16. The insecticidal agent of claim 15, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in an insect from an order selected from the group consisting of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera.

17. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-16, wherein the essential gene is a gene that encodes a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a acetylcholinesterase activatedcytochrome P450 monooxygenase, germ cell-expressed bHLH-PAS, inhibitor-of-apoptosis, juvenile hormone binding protein, myocyte enhancer factor 2, peritrophin A, proteasome 20S subunit alpha, septin interacting protein 1, snakeskin, snustorr, tetraspanin 2A, vacuolar-sorting protein, and vacuolar-type ATPase A.

18. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Helicoverpa armigera, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:269, 270-273, 279, 280, 282, 285-287, 292, 293, 296, 298, and 299.

19. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Helicoverpa armigera, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:271, 272, and 285.

20. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Spodoptera frugiperda, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 360-362, 364-366, 368-371, and 375-382.

21. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Spodoptera frugiperda, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:357, 364, and 369.

22. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Diatraea saccharalis, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:231, 234, 237, 238, 241, 245, 248, 250, 251, 255, and 262-268.

23. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Diatraea saccharalis and wherein said NAA comprises consists essentially of or24. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Nezara viridula, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:320, 324, 325, 328, 329, 332, 333, 335-339, 341, 342, 345, and 350-356.

25. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Nezara viridula, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:329, 332, and 336.

26. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198-200, 202, 207-209, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217, 221, 225, and 227.

27. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 14-17, wherein said NAA targets an essential gene in a Anthonomus grandis, and wherein said NAA comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:198, 199, and 225.

28. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-25, wherein said polypeptide is a protection and delivery polypeptide (PDP).

29. The insecticidal agent of claim 28, wherein said PDP comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:383-461.

30. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:303, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

31. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:285, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

32. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:369, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

33. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:364, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

34. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:245, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

35. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:241, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

36. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:225, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

37. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insecticidal agent comprises (a) a NAA that comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:332, and (b) a penetratin polypeptide.

38. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-37, wherein said polypeptide comprises a nuclear localization signal (NLS)39. The insecticidal agent of claim 38, wherein said NLS comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of an amino acid sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs:462-471.

40. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-39, wherein the insecticidal agent is conjugated to or encapsulated within a carrier system.

41. The insecticidal agent of claim 40, wherein the carrier system is selected from the group consisting of lipofectamine, C12-200, cKK-E12, DLin-KC2-DMA, DLin-MC3-DMA, 1,2- distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, PEG-2000-C-DMG, PEG-2000- DMG, DOTMA, DOTAP, H / SM-102, ALC-0315, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyethylenimine (PEI), poly(l-lysine) (PLL), poly(betaamino ester)s (PBAEs), hyperbranched PBAE (hPBAE), charge-altering releasable transporter (CART), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), PEG-DMPE, DSPE-PEG-NH2, DSPE-PEG-SH, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, and layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanosheets.

42. The insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-41, wherein the insecticidal agent is in the form of a liquid.

43. A composition comprising the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-41.

44. The composition of claim 43, wherein the composition is in the form of a liquid.

45. The composition of any one of claims 43-44, wherein the composition is formulated for use as a spray.

46. The composition of claim 45, wherein the composition is a foliar spray.

47. A method for managing an insect pest, wherein said method comprises applying the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-42 or the composition of any one of claims 43-46 to the48. A method for managing an insect population, wherein said method comprises applying the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-42 or the composition of any one of claims 43-46 to a substrate comprising the insect population.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the substrate comprises soil.

50. A method of treating a plant having an insect infestation, wherein said method comprises applying the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-42 or the composition of any one of claims 43-46 to said plant.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the plant is a crop plant.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, apple, apricot, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, banana, barley, bean (e.g., fava bean and soybean), beet, blackberry, blueberry, broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, canola, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chestnut, cherry, Chinese cabbage, citrus, clementine, clover, coffee, corn, cotton, cowpea, cucumber, eggplant, endive, eucalyptus, fennel, figs, fruit and nut trees, grape, grapefruit, groundnuts, hemp, kale, kiwifruit, kohlrabi, lettuce, leek, lemon, lime, maize, mango, maple, melon, millet, mushroom, mustard, nuts, oats, onion, orange, papaya, palm, parsley, parsnip, peach, peanut, pear, pepper, persimmon, pigeon pea, pineapple, plantain, plum, pomegranate, potato, pumpkin, radicchio, radish, rapeseed, raspberry, rice, rye, sorghum, spinach, squash, strawberry, sugarbeet, sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, sweet corn, tangerine, tea, tobacco, tomato, triticale, walnut, watercress, watermelon, wheat, yams, and zucchini plants.

53. A method for reducing or eliminating expression of an essential gene within an insect, wherein said method comprises applying the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-42 or the composition of any one of claims 43-46 to said insect.

54. A method for inhibiting the growth, development, survival, or viability of an insect, wherein said method comprises applying the insecticidal agent of any one of claims 1-42 or the composition of any one of claims 43-46 to said insect.

55. The method of any one of claims 53-54, wherein said insect is a pest insect.

56. The method of any one of claims 47-55, wherein said applying comprises spraying.

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