Turning Invasive Insect Pests Against Themselves - Protecting Trees with Insect-Specific Treatments

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

Project Abstract An alarming number of non-native invasive forest insect pests and pathogens have been introduced into North America in recent decades, with devastating consequences. Tree mortality is extensive and forest sustainability is threatened. In addition, our rapidly changing climate is contributing to expanded geographic ranges and accelerated development rates, exacerbating the problem. Novel management approaches that can be rapidly developed for effective suppression against numerous and diverse arrays of current and future forest insect pests are needed. One innovative molecular approach is gene silencing using RNA interference (RNAi), which is the focus of this project. RNAi technology exploits a naturally occurring cellular defense system present in most eukaryotes by targeting double stranded viral RNA (dsRNA) for cleavage by endogenous nucleases, thus suppressing viral infection. The cellular RNAi pathway can be manipulated through the introduction of carefully designed dsRNAs, which the cell perceives as viral, silencing genes essential to life and causing rapid insect mortality. In this project we plan to evaluate RNAi technology in two highly destructive, highly invasive forest pests with contrasting feeding behaviors. My lab has developed RNAi technology targeting the highly destructive, invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) from proof-of-concept through greenhouse experiments and are now poised to evaluate it in field trials, which will be a focus of this project. We will evaluate field applications of dsRNA targeting EAB in ash trees planted in a common garden. A second group of highly invasive non-native pests, the hemlock and balsam woolly adelgids, will be a proof of concept focus of this project. To date there has been no experimental demonstration of the RNAi pathway in adelgids, and no demonstration of the ability to manipulate it. Adelgids have unique feeding behaviors and life cycles and do not easily lend themselves to evaluation. We will assess hemlock and/or balsam woolly adelgids for the presence of cellular RNAi machinery, paving the way for future work determining the feasibility of utilizing RNAi technology against this recalcitrant group of forest invaders. Both aspects of this proposal will further contribute to development of RNAi technology, a non-chemical, molecular means of sustainable forest management.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date9/6/249/5/29

Funding

  • Forest Service: $411,000.00

Fingerprint

Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.