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Research Project: IPM Methods for Insect Pests of Orchard Crops

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Title: Assessment of psyllid-dsRNA off-target effects on a ladybird beetle predator

Author
item CLARKE, SASHA - University Of The West Indies
item PARIS, THOMAS - University Of Florida
item Hunter, Wayne
item BROWN, SHERLINE - University Of The West Indies
item QUERESHI, JAWWAD - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2018
Publication Date: 3/10/2018
Citation: Clarke, S.V., Paris, T.M., Hunter, W.B., Brown, S.E., Quereshi, J. 2018. Assessment of psyllid-dsRNA off-target effects on a ladybird beetle predator. Proceedings 82nd Annual Meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences, March 9-10, 2018, Miami, Florida. 1/2018.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Development of Ribonucleic acid interference, RNAi against insect pests needs to show species target specificity so that beneficial insects remain unharmed, as many pest insects are a food source for predatory insects like lady beetles. We evaluated an RNAi product specific to Asian citrus psyllid for any negative effects after ingested by adult lady beetles. No cell responses were detected at four days after ingestion with no negative effects on survival or activity in the lady beetle species. Results suggest that RNAi produced for a specific insect pest can be safe for predatory insects like lady beetles.