The Japanese Beetle Control Near Airports and Cargo Transportation Facilities:Testing Field Efficacy of the Product

ABSTRACT Plant Protection and Quarantine, Science and Technology and University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY Title: The Japanese beetle control near airports and cargo transportation facilities:Testing field efficacy of the product Period of Performance: June 01, 2022 to May 31, 2023. Purpose of the project: The main goal of this proposal is to develop safer target-specific RNA interference-based methods to control the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica. Research funded by this program showed that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting the Actin gene of P. japonica triggers efficient RNA interference (RNAi), resulting in impairment of muscle function, movement of body parts and stoppage of feeding by P. japonica adults. As a result, this product protects plants from damage by P. japonica and kills adult beetles. We hypothesize that the dsRNA targeting the Actin gene could be used for efficient control of P. japonica not only near airports, transportation facilities and nurseries but also to protect field crops, vegetable, and ornamental plants and turfgrass from its damage. The main goal of the current project is to evaluate the efficacy and stability of dsRNA targeting actin gene in P. japonica under field conditions. Field trials will be conducted in two locations; University of Kentucky North farm and South Farm. After confirming the field efficacy of bacteria producing dsActin observed in the laboratory experiments, we plan to expand field trials of this product near airports in Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, and other states in 2023. We plan to collaborate with Drs. Dan Potter, Phillip Lewis, Dave Smitley, Jason Oliver and others in conducting field trials. 1