Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-22000-044-054-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2025
End Date: Nov 30, 2026
Objective:
Arthropod pests cause over $120 billion in agricultural losses annually in the U.S., with invasive species posing an even greater threat due to the absence of natural predators. This project focuses on the spotted lanternfly (SLF) and box tree moth (BTM), aiming to develop an innovative, biologically based control method using advanced molecular technologies.
• SLF, native to Asia, has spread to 17 U.S. states since its detection in 2014, threatening more than 103 plant species, including grapes and fruit trees. In Pennsylvania alone, its economic impact could reach $8 million. Current control strategies primarily rely on chemical insecticides.
• BTM, first detected in the U.S. in 2021, damages boxwood plants, a vital component of the $5.2 billion nursery industry. It has since spread across multiple states, with current control efforts dependent on broad-spectrum insecticides.
The project specific goals, objectives, and anticipated accomplishments as well as the approach for conducting research that aims to identify bioactive peptides for the development of biologically based, target-specific pest management strategies for SLF and BTM and the related roles and responsibilities of the parties as negotiated.
Approach:
1. Molecular Cloning and Sequencing
Frozen SLF and BTM insect samples were obtained from APHIS collaborators and stored at -80°C. Total RNA will be extracted, and BLAST searches conducted to identify orthologs of capa and CAPA receptor (CAPA-r) genes using USDA and NCBI databases. Candidate sequences will be validated via 3D GPCR modeling. Gene amplification will follow using cDNA synthesized from RNA and standard molecular protocols.
2. In Vitro Expression and Characterization
SLF and BTM CAPA GPCRs will be expressed in Sf9 insect cells. Binding assays will evaluate interactions between GPCRs and synthetic CAPA peptides, which are predicted from capa gene prepropeptides and synthesized at >95% purity. Cross-binding assays will assess inter-species ligand-receptor interactions. Existing infrastructure and the PI’s extensive GPCR expertise support the feasibility of these methods.
3. Peptide Screening via Receptor-i Technology
Once GPCR expression is confirmed, phage-displayed peptide libraries will be screened using Receptor-i technology to identify potential bioactive peptides.