Periodic Reporting for period 1 - REACT (Rapid elimination of invasive insect agricultural pest outbreaks by tackling them with Sterile Insect Technique programs)
Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2024-04-30
The REACT (Rapid Elimination of Invasive Insect Agricultural Pest Outbreaks by Tackling Them with Sterile Insect Technique Programs) project, funded within the Horizon Europe topic “Fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption (CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01)”, aims to create long-term, environmentally sustainable strategies to protect fruit and vegetable production in the EU from invasive insect pests like Bactrocera dorsalis (Bd) and Bactrocera zonata (Bz). These EU-priority pest species pose significant threats to agriculture, trade, and biodiversity. The project focuses on developing rapid, area-specific response strategies, assessing environmental and economic impacts, and establishing frameworks for implementing Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) strategies. To achieve this, REACT studies the drivers of Bd and Bz invasion, investigates the potential ecological impacts of their invasion in the EU, develops diagnostic tools for rapid larval interception, evaluates novel markers for improved male quality, and develops Genetic Sexing Strains (GSS) for SIT programs. REACT establishes enhanced SIT as a key tool for responding rapidly to outbreaks in a European setting and involves multiple stakeholders to foster economically and environmentally friendly sound pest management. The project emphasizes prevention, identification, monitoring, and control of these pests through innovative and sustainable methods, creating opportunities to exploit the generated cutting-edge research knowledge and technology.
Develop a Rapid Area-Tailored Response Strategy. During the project’s first 18 months, significant progress has been made in developing a rapid, area-specific response strategy to address invasive Bactrocera species in the EU. Advanced omics approaches have been used to characterize the microbiomes of Bd and Bz, identifying key bacteria influencing larval development. Overwintering studies in various locations indicated differing survival rates, providing crucial data for understanding environmental resilience. Population dispersal studies revealed seasonal population dynamics, essential for developing effective management strategies. The project has developed diagnostic methods for detecting tephritid pests, including Bd and Bz, at the larval stage and established a metabolomics pipeline for evaluating quality markers in fruit fly organs. CRISPR-based mutant strains with a white pupae phenotype were created, advancing the development of GSS. Additionally, a mass-rearing facility capable of producing 500,000 sterile males per week was established, alongside an enhanced larval diet incorporating inactivated endosymbiont bacteria.
Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impact. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis model was developed to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of invasive fruit flies under various management strategies. This model assesses the impacts of pesticide use and incorporates modules for environmental and health impacts. Initial validation exercises confirmed the model's effectiveness, although further adaptations are needed. Stakeholder consultations provided insights into current management approaches and perceptions of SIT, informing a survey in South Africa. Public engagement through citizen science initiatives has involved farmers and the public in data collection, and collaboration with the Horizon 2020-funded project IPM-Popillia has led to the development of a mobile app for documenting invasive species sightings.
Define and Recommend SIT Implementation Framework. Progress has been made in developing a framework for SIT implementation, considering stakeholders' needs and socio-economic and policy aspects. In our effort to reduce the development time for GSS by at least 30%, CRISPR-based white pupae mutant lines have been developed, and male-specific targets have been identified to generate sex-linked phenotypes in the future. Enhanced rearing facilities and a new larval diet have been established, contributing to more efficient SIT applications. Those novel tools have been communicated and discussed with various stakeholders. Extensive communication and dissemination activities have included a project website, social media posts, stakeholder meetings, and media appearances, ensuring broad dissemination of the project's findings and innovations.
Evaluate Environmental and Economic Impact. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis model was developed to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of invasive fruit flies under various management strategies. This model assesses the impacts of pesticide use and incorporates modules for environmental and health impacts. Initial validation exercises confirmed the model's effectiveness, although further adaptations are needed. Stakeholder consultations provided insights into current management approaches and perceptions of SIT, informing a survey in South Africa. Public engagement through citizen science initiatives has involved farmers and the public in data collection, and collaboration with the Horizon 2020-funded project IPM-Popillia has led to the development of a mobile app for documenting invasive species sightings.
Define and Recommend SIT Implementation Framework. Progress has been made in developing a framework for SIT implementation, considering stakeholders' needs and socio-economic and policy aspects. In our effort to reduce the development time for GSS by at least 30%, CRISPR-based white pupae mutant lines have been developed, and male-specific targets have been identified to generate sex-linked phenotypes in the future. Enhanced rearing facilities and a new larval diet have been established, contributing to more efficient SIT applications. Those novel tools have been communicated and discussed with various stakeholders. Extensive communication and dissemination activities have included a project website, social media posts, stakeholder meetings, and media appearances, ensuring broad dissemination of the project's findings and innovations.
The REACT project has achieved several advancements beyond the current state of the art.
1) Integrating omics approaches has provided deeper insights into the microbiomes of invasive fruit flies, potentially leading to new control methods.
2) A rapid interception method for tephritid larvae enables species-level identification within 90 minutes, significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional approaches.
3) The establishment of a metabolomics pipeline for processing samples from tephritid organs expands understanding of the metabolic impact of using Enterobacter inactivated cells as a protein source, aiming to develop novel biomarkers for male quality, crucial for enhancing SIT programs.
4) white pupae mutant lines and male-specific targets represent significant progress in developing GSS, reducing development time by at least 30%.
5) Enhanced rearing facilities and new larval diets contribute to more efficient SIT applications.
6) The multidimensional cost-benefit analysis model provides a comprehensive tool for evaluating the economic, social, and environmental impacts of various pest management strategies.
1) Integrating omics approaches has provided deeper insights into the microbiomes of invasive fruit flies, potentially leading to new control methods.
2) A rapid interception method for tephritid larvae enables species-level identification within 90 minutes, significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional approaches.
3) The establishment of a metabolomics pipeline for processing samples from tephritid organs expands understanding of the metabolic impact of using Enterobacter inactivated cells as a protein source, aiming to develop novel biomarkers for male quality, crucial for enhancing SIT programs.
4) white pupae mutant lines and male-specific targets represent significant progress in developing GSS, reducing development time by at least 30%.
5) Enhanced rearing facilities and new larval diets contribute to more efficient SIT applications.
6) The multidimensional cost-benefit analysis model provides a comprehensive tool for evaluating the economic, social, and environmental impacts of various pest management strategies.