June 19,

Researchers Develop Genetic Control Mechanism for Major Livestock Pest

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a technique to control populations of the Australian sheep blowfly a major livestock pest in Australia and New Zealand by making female flies dependent upon a common antibiotic to survive.

Dr. Max Scott, professor of entomology at NC State, and his research team genetically modified lines of female Australian sheep blowflies (Lucilia cuprina) so that they required doses of tetracycline in order to live. Female blowflies that did not receive the antibiotic died in the late larval or pupal stages, before reaching adulthood. Several genetically modified lines lacking tetracycline showed 100 percent female deaths.

Scott says that the gene construct responsible for lethality in antibiotic-free diets is female-specific. Interestingly and unexpectedly, the genetically modified female larvae containing the tetracycline lethality genes also took on a crimson color due to overexpression of the linked red fluorescent protein marker gene. This allows scientists to tell which larvae will be females and which will be males.

Overexpression of the gene responsible for the reliance on tetracycline also seems to overexpress this marker gene, Scott says.

Since the females will die when not provided tetracycline in their diets, the males can be separated out in the larval stage. This is essential for a male-only genetic control program to reduce blowfly populations, Scott says, as fertile males would pass the lethality construct on to female offspring, which would die in the absence of tetracycline. Male larval offspring, however, would still be dangerous to livestock.

In the study, the researchers showed that the tetracycline gene construct also works in Drosophila, the fruit fly lab rat of the insect world that is a distant cousin of the sheep blowfly. This holds promise that the genetic system will function in the New World and Old World screwworm, two major livestock pests that are close relatives of the sheep blowfly. Scott is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make male-only strains of the New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax).

The New World screwworm is a devastating pest of livestock that was eradicated from North and Central America by releasing sterilized male and female flies, Scott says. However, a male-only strain offers several advantages, including potentially more efficient population suppression for the ongoing program. Efficient genetic control systems have the potential to help eradicate some of the biggest problem pests across the globe, he said.

The research is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and NC State.

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New Genetic Control Mechanism for Major Livestock Pest

There are growing concerns about a debilitating mosquito-borne virus Channel 9 has been telling you about for weeks now.

Eyewitness News found pest control companies are busy fielding calls from people who want help keeping the mosquitoes away.

It only takes a few minutes for crews to spray yards to ward against mosquitoes.

Rick Seifert, president of the Pest Control Authority, said the calls have been coming in non-stop, especially after North Carolina confirmed its first case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus that's starting to appear around the country.

One U.S. senator is now asking the CDC to issue a health alert to help doctors identify and treat those infected with the virus that can cause fever, joint pain, headaches and rashes.

Spraying kills adult mosquitos, but Seifert said you also want to get rid of any standing water, which can be a breeding ground.

Spraying your home is just one line of defense. Experts said you should use some type of insect repellent or wear long sleeves or pants especially if you're going to be out in the morning or late in the day when mosquitos are most active.

Out at Freedom Park, dog trainer Tyler Pagnoni said he doesn't do anything to protect himself. "I get bit maybe once or twice a day and that's it."

The Rev. Kelvin Brown said he's not taking any chances.

"It does make you nervous because you're running, jogging, and sweating and you don't even know what's biting you," he said.

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Concerns about mosquito virus keeping pest control companies busy

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