Novel DEET analog repellents for spotted wing drosophila pest management

Overview

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is an invasive agricultural pest originating from Asia that causes hundreds of millions of dollars in crop losses across the United States and beyond. Current pest management relies heavily on insecticides that can harm beneficial species. This technology offers an alternative approach: a small molecule repellent based on novel DEET analogs that can protect ripe fruit crops without the environmental drawbacks of broad-spectrum insecticides.

The solution consists of two identified lead compounds that have demonstrated superior repellence against fruit flies compared to DEET, the current gold-standard repellent. Notably, fruit flies did not habituate to one of the two leads, addressing a key limitation of DEET. The technology has potential applications in commercial agriculture for protecting berries, cherries, and other soft fruits vulnerable to SWD infestation.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Two novel DEET analog lead compounds identified through screening of over 100 synthesized analogs
• Superior repellence efficacy compared to DEET in biological screening assays
• No habituation observed in fruit flies for one of the two leads, unlike DEET
• Repellence validated through sequential sensory mechanism testing: olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), and habituation assays
• Conformational analyses performed to understand structure-activity relationships
• Intellectual property protected through provisional patent filing and recently filed full patent
• Additional focused DEET analog library currently undergoing biological screening for new lead generation

Technical approach:

The research team synthesized over 100 novel DEET analogs and conducted systematic biological screening using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism. The screening process evaluated repellence through three sequential sensory assessments to confirm efficacy and durability of the repellent effect.

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Two lead compounds have been identified and validated in laboratory settings against common fruit flies. Next steps include SWD-specific repellence studies with a collaborator, field studies using established entomology expertise, degradation studies, toxicity assessments, backup candidate development through lead generation, and preparation for pre-registration. The technology is positioned for advancement toward commercialization as a commercial SWD repellent product.