Market assessment of feeding deterrents agains cabbage looper, a pest of vegetable crops.

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The cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (T. ni), is a widespread pest of many vegetable crops. The larvae of this moth cause severe leaf damage if the moth population is high. One problem with T. ni is that it is one of the most insecticide resistant pests known. Therefore, it is of interest to develop alternative technologies, in which the insects are not killed directly but are deterred from feeding on their host plants. The Plettner group has discovered synthetic compounds that have activity against T. ni as non-insecticidal feeding deterrents. The compounds are promising candidates for new T. ni control tools, because they are easy to prepare and have advantageous physical properties. This proposal is for funding of a market study, to assess the importance of T. ni and the current control measures used against this insect in horticulture. The questions this study will address are: 1) the pests affecting horticulture, mainly in Canada; 2) the need for new insect pest control methods in horticulture (opportunity); 3) the interest of farmers in adopting new insect pest controls; 4) methods currently used; 5) problems with the current methods; 6) barriers to the development of the proposed new technology; 7) proposals to overcome the barriers; and 8) potential partners for development of the technology. The work plan will consist of: an initial consultation to confirm the objectives and revise the plan, a review of information available (including literature), compilation of a list of experts to be interviewed and of interview guidelines, conducting of interviews with the identified list of experts, estimation of the potential market size, a progress meeting, the identification of potential licensees, a survey of vegetable growers in a region (chosen based on previous results), a final consultation meeting and preparation of the final report.