Location: European Biological Control Laboratory
Project Number: 0212-30400-001-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jan 2, 2026
End Date: Jan 1, 2028
Objective:
To develop new bio-chemical based approaches for surveillance and control of invasive pathogens (such as mosquito-borne viruses) and their vectors (such as biting flies, and ticks).
Approach:
The United States is faced with an unprecedented array of imported vector borne disease pathogens of major medical and veterinary importance. At the same time, reliance on traditional insecticides to mitigate vector-borne diseases as well as additional pressure from agricultural insecticidal interventions has triggered the development of insecticide resistance in vector populations, threatening the efficacy of control programs and putting at risk the health of agricultural ecosystems. Biopesticides offer a promising avenue for sustainable vector management and the protection of public health, with reduced risk to applicators and the environment. Developing these for vector species not yet in the U.S. or that have recently invaded a part of the country can be extremely helpful for developing timely solutions when vectors and their associated pathogens to emerge as major concerns. Through this collaborative agreement studies will be conducted in Greece – a country endemic to a large variety of vectors (mosquitoes, sand flies) and pathogens (West Nile virus, Leishmania) of major medical and veterinary significance. The research will be conducted at the premises of American Farm School, a US non-profit institute dedicated in educating the next generations of farmers and agriculturalists, while promoting the US Agriculture internationally. Research on the development of new bio-chemical substances will be conducted targeting a wide variety of insects that are endemic in this part of the world and pose a threat to the US agriculture.