Methods and compositions which increase the concentration of an inhibitory
RNA specific for a target sequence in a cell are provided. In one
embodiment, the methods and compositions employ a first polynucleotide
comprising a silencing element for a target pest sequence operably linked
to a promoter active in the plant cell; and, a second polynucleotide
comprising a suppressor enhancer element comprising the target pest
sequence or an active fragment or variant thereof operably linked to a
promoter active in the plant cell. The combined expression of the
silencing element with the target pest sequence, or an active variant or
fragment thereof, leads to the amplification of the inhibitory RNA
produced from the silencing element over the achievable with only the
expression of the silencing element alone. Thus, the various methods and
compositions of the invention provide improved methods for the delivery
of inhibitory RNA to a target organism.