Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, are capable of decreasing the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. Target polynucleotides for specific protein classes and target polynucleotides set forth in SEQ ID NOS:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or active variants or fragments thereof are provided, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more sequences in the target pest controls the pest. Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. Plants, plant part, bacteria and host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof are also provided.