Synthetic predator pheromone blend for inducing crop defense and reducing pest damage
A field-deployable synthetic pheromone blend derived from the spined soldier bug that triggers plant defense pathways in potato, tomato, and eggplant, reducing Colorado potato beetle damage by up to 37% and increasing yield. Certified for organic use, with ongoing validation across additional Solanum crops and growing systems.
Overview
This solution is a field-deployable synthetic pheromone blend and release device based on compounds isolated from the spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris). When applied to crops, the blend activates natural plant defense pathways, reducing feeding damage from the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) by up to 37% in large-field trials. Treated plants have also been observed to flower earlier, grow larger, and produce higher yields. The pheromone blend is certified for organic use, positioning it as a sustainable alternative or complement to conventional insecticide programs in potato production and other Solanum crops.
Technical specifications
- Synthetic pheromone blend: Two bioactive compounds have been identified within the pheromone that drive both pest deterrence and plant defense activation.
- Release device: Field-deployable delivery system designed for practical integration into crop management routines.
- Mode of action: Pre-exposure to the blend induces plant defense pathways, reducing subsequent pest feeding independent of direct toxicity to the insect.
- Validated efficacy: Large-field trials demonstrated up to 37% reduction in plant damage; pre-treated plants showed significantly lower feeding in bioassays after treatment removal.
- Crop compatibility: Currently validated on potato, with planned validation on tomato and eggplant (additional Solanum crops).
- Production systems: Trials planned in conventional open fields as well as high and low tunnel systems.
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated in large-field trials demonstrating significant reductions in pest damage and improved yield metrics. The synthetic blend has been certified for organic use. Ongoing work includes phytohormone and RNA-seq analyses to characterize the underlying plant defense pathways, along with expanded field trials across additional Solanum crops and alternative growing systems. The solution is positioned for further co-development, pilot deployment, and licensing partnerships with agricultural input companies, growers, and organic certification programs.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a comprehensive private, land-grant research university with campuses in Ithaca and New York City, combining significant scale with cross-disciplinary breadth. Industry connects through open-access user facilities and prototyping labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and a research and technology park that provide pathways from discovery to demonstration. A statewide extension network and integration with a major hospital system enable real-world deployment, while a graduate campus embedded in New York City’s tech corridor provides direct access to startups, venture investors, and corporate R&D teams. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP management, licensing, startup formation, and corporate partnerships across campuses.
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