When it comes to the protection of crops in the field, pest control has always been a priority. A Lexington company is exploring an insect-based way to reduce losses in all kinds of crops.
Angelika Fath-Goodin and Maria Labreveux are with Lepidext working in biopesticides. They both attended the launch of agriculture-technology incentive grants last week in Lexington. Their research focuses on controlling the corn earworm. Fath-Goodin said it involves sterilization of the moth.
“That contains a sterilizing virus. The virus is sexually transmitted. So we release the sterile moth containing the virus. Then they mate in the field, transmit the virus to the insects that are already in the field. Then the offspring will be sterile, or most of the offspring will be sterile,” said Fath-Goodin.
In addition to corn, the earworm eats tomatoes, soybeans, tobacco, cotton and as Labreveux noted, “whatever food is on their way, they’ll have an appetite for.” She admitted the introduction of a virus does sound a bit daunting.
“Cause you say virus and everybody is like ‘whoa.’ So, we’ve been through the pandemic so everybody, when you say virus, it’s like you’re gonna release a virus. Well, but this is a virus that is contained only in the sexual organs of the species. So, the rest of the moth is intact and perfect,” said Labreveux.
Labreveux said the virus doesn’t affect any other species including humans. On the current timetable, the two researchers expect to have an Environmental Protection Agency review in about 18 months. If that goes well, it could be available technology in two years or so.
Here's a conversation with the two researchers. The first person speaking is Angelika Fath-Goodin followed by Maria Labreveux
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