SBIR Phase I: Masking Agents to Promote Ingestion of Organic Pest Ant Bait

这项小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发一种环境中性产品，用于控制红色进口火蚁（RIFA），这是一种高密度发生的侵略性害虫，是城市、农村和农业栖息地的专家，特别是在南部各州。RIFA影响到许多经济部门，每年造成数十亿美元的损失和控制成本。它们庞大的数量和强大的刺痛扰乱了数百万美国人的生活质量，其中5-10%的人可能对它们的毒液过敏，造成巨额的医疗费用。RIFA生殖系统导致处理过的地区迅速再次感染；因此，需要持续使用控制措施，并伴有相关的环境风险。该项目将使一种对环境无害且具有成本竞争力的新型鱼饵实现商业化。这将是20年来第一个用于控制RIFA的新活性成分。我们的掩蔽剂在RIFA防治中的新应用有望对新的害虫防治活性成分的发现产生普遍影响。这个SBIR一期项目将推进新的有效成分的转化，以有效缓解RIFA害虫。先前的试验表明，这类农药需要添加添加剂。该项目将测试添加剂并优化新成分的现场使用配方。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is the development of an environmentally neutral product for control of red imported fire ants (RIFA), aggressive pests that occur in high densities and are specialists of urban, rural, and agricultural habitats, particularly in southern states. The RIFA affects many economic sectors and cause billions of dollars in damage and control costs annually. Their large numbers and potent sting disrupt the quality of life for millions of Americans and 5-10% of these may develop hypersensitivity to their venom, creating significant medical costs. The RIFA reproductive system lead to rapid re-infestation of treated areas; therefore, continuous use of control measures is required, with associated environmental risk. This project will enable commercialization of a new bait that is environmentally neutral and cost competitive. It will be the first new active ingredient for RIFA control in 20 years. Our novel application of masking agents for RIFA control is expected to have a general impact on the discovery of new pest control active ingredients. This SBIR Phase I project will advance the translation of novel active ingredients for effective RIFA pest mitigation. Prior testing has indicated that additives are needed for this type of pesticide. This project will test additives and optimize formulations for field use of the new ingredients.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.