Development of efficacious RNAi-based baits for RIFA control

The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA Solenopsis invicta) is a non-native insect pest that infects over350 million acres in 14 US states. Damages related to fire ants include household crop andlivestock losses higher equipment repair and replacement costs damages to the lawn yardfarmstead medical and veterinary expenditures and cost of materials and equipment to controlthem. It is one of the most expensive world-wide invasive pests.NanoSUR's RNAi-based insecticide technology will contribute to the sustainable management ofaffected areas with minimal use of non-selective insecticides and their harmful impacts to non- target organisms. The successful execution of this grant will open an entirely new approach tocombating infestation by RIFA and prevent the spread of this pest.To achieve these goals we will show that we can accomplish the following objectives: 1) identify 2RNA sequences with minimal sequence similarity to non-target organisms that result in the highestefficacy of modified double stranded RNA (MdsRNA) for RIFA control in small colonyexperiments 2) formulate the MdsRNA into oil and corn based baits and evaluate their stabilityunder storage conditions 3) identify baits that maximize queenright colony control and 4) optimizethe efficacy of baits to control field collected colonies. To accomplish these technical challengeswe will build on prior research funded by NSF (Phase I and II) and USDA (Phase I) and work incollaboration with the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Agricultural ResearchService in Gainesville FL through a CRADA with the USDA.