An early female lethal system of the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, for biotechnology-enhanced SIT

• DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00948-x
• Publication Date: 2020-12-18T11:03:20Z
• Authors: Carolina Concha; Ying Yan; Alex Arp; Evelin Quilarque; Agustin Sagel; Adalberto Pérez d...; W. Owen McMillan; Steven Skoda; Maxwell J. Scott
• Keywords: Cochliomyia hominivorax; Sterile Insect Technique

Abstract Background The New World Screwworm fly (NWS), Cochliomyia hominivorax , is an ectoparasite of warm-blooded animals and a major pest livestock in parts South America the Caribbean where it remains endemic. In North Central was eradicated using Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). A control program managed cooperatively between governments United States Panama to prevent northward spread NWS from infested countries America. This accomplished by maintaining permanent barrier through release millions sterile male female flies border Colombia. Our research team demonstrated utility biotechnology-enhanced approaches for SIT developing male-only strain NWS. carried single component tetracycline repressible lethal system females died at late larval/pupal stages. can be further improved removing during embryonic development as larval diet costs are significant. Results strains developed carry two-component consisting Lucilia sericata bottleneck gene promoter driving expression tTA tTA-regulated Lshid proapoptotic effector gene. Insertion sex-specifically spliced intron C. transformer within ensures that only die when insects reared absence tetracycline. several double homozygous one “All-in-one” had both components construct, lethality occurred and/or first instar stages raised on without Laboratory evaluation phenotypes relevant mass rearing production facility revealed most fitness characteristics similar wild type J06 currently barrier. Testing “All one” under conditions showed maintained observed small-scale rearing. Conclusions early described here could selected Control Program testing large scale enhance efficiency eradication program.