"Is it possible to improve insect biological control using molecular biology techniques?"

Abstract :

In many places around the world, including Brazil, chemical pesticides are often the first line of defense against insect pests. This is concerning because many chemical pesticides can harm non-target organisms, such as natural enemies, soil microbiota, and humans. Moreover, insects can develop resistance to chemical insecticides, making their control much more challenging. Biological control has long been considered an alternative to chemical insecticides, particularly in the context of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). However, the efficiency of biological control agents (macro or microorganisms) depends on many issues that, if not addressed properly, could result in pest control inefficiency. Our research is focused on two main lines: (i) designing new sustainable strategies to control the most significant pests of cotton in the Americas, the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis grandis); and (ii) avoiding the off-target effects of these new methods on natural enemies, resulting in an increase in their action on pests. We utilized RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down a gene associated with the IMD immune pathway in A. grandis, and it successfully increased its susceptibility to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. Moreover, we are using the lady beetle Eriopis connexa as a model for molecular studies in predators and also to test the effects of pest-designed dsRNA against a non-target species. We successfully validated RNAi in E. connexa, and the next step is to test a dsRNA designed for A. grandis in E. connexa by feeding. Additionally, we are currently investigating the impact of aphid consumption on lady beetle reproduction and characterizing insecticide resistance in natural populations of these lady beetles. Furthermore, the results of these studies will help inform future pest management strategies for cotton crops.

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https://inrae-fr.zoom.us/j/5785660130?omn=96159165972