SBIR Phase I: Development of Novel Repellents for the Honeybee, Apis mellifera

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目为害虫控制从传统杀虫剂向通过直接操纵昆虫化学感受蛋白来改变昆虫行为的产品的范式转变提供了科学基础。一个合理的设计方法是用来分离化合物，结合关键的化学感受蛋白，和那些能够改变昆虫行为的化合物将被进一步选择。这些化合物的商品名为Arometics。为了响应柑橘种植者的需求，正在分离应该影响农业和经济上重要的昆虫Apis mellifera（欧洲蜜蜂）的觅食行为的小分子。最终产品将是能够保护柑橘免受不必要的授粉的驱虫剂。这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将通过避免使用杀虫剂和复杂的信息素合成的需要来改变昆虫控制实践。最初的目标昆虫是欧洲蜜蜂（Apis mellifera），它提供了必要的授粉，每年为美国农作物增加约140亿美元的价值。这项研究将导致更好的蜜蜂管理策略，将保护蜜蜂，一个关键的作物授粉。该项目将产生广泛的科学和社会影响，因为它引入了开发新的、对环境负责的昆虫控制方法所必需的技术，这些方法与现代综合虫害管理计划相兼容。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project provides the scientific foundation for a paradigm shift in insect pest control away from traditional insecticides toward products that alter insect behavior by directly manipulating insect chemosensory proteins. A rational design approach is used to isolate compounds that bind to critical chemosensory proteins, and those compounds capable of altering insect behavior will be further selected. These compounds are referred to by the trade name, Arometics. In response to citrus grower demand, small molecules that should affect the foraging behavior of the agriculturally and economically significant insect, Apis mellifera (European honeybee) are being isolated. The final products will be repellents capable of protecting citrus from unwanted pollination. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will alter insect control practices by avoiding the use of insecticides and the need for complicated pheromone synthesis. The initial insect targeted, the European honeybee (Apis mellifera), provides essential pollination that adds an estimated $14 billion annually in value to US crops. This research will lead to better honeybee management strategies that will protect the honeybee, a critical crop pollinator. This project will have broad scientific and societal impact, as it introduces the technologies necessary to develop novel, environmentally responsible insect control methods that are compatible with modern integrated pest management schemes.