Location: Biological Control of Insects Research
Project Number: 5070-22000-038-016-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 15, 2025
End Date: Sep 14, 2027
Objective:
The grape pest Lycorma delicatula, commonly known as the spotted lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive insect pest capable of devastating American grape production, and can be responsible for up to 100% loss of a given crop. Here, we collaborate to achieve mutual interests in increasing American food security and protecting local and national stakeholders from further economic damage. Using cell, genetic, and molecular biology techniques we will create genetic resources towards the development of gene drives to control SLF.
Approach:
We will perform experiments to create genetic resources in SLF including:
1) Generating germline and somatic transcriptomes to generate targets for insect control.
2) RNAi screening of lethal gene targets from closely related hemipterans and our transcriptomes.
3) Generate SLF cell lines as a platform for experimentation.
4) Establish in vitro and in vivo CRISPR SLF genetic editing systems.
5) Test for bias towards non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR)to help decide the type of gene drives to pursue.