Insect-specific viruses are being investigated to protect Australia’s $4 billion sugar industry in a research project at The University of Queensland.
Dr Kayvan Etebari from UQ’s School of the Environment is using genomics to identify viruses which could be developed into environmentally safe biopesticides to attack notorious pests like canegrubs and soldier flies.
“Canegrubs are the most significant root-feeding pest, causing significant yield losses in Australia’s most productive sugarcane regions and farmers currently rely on a single insecticide, imidacloprid, which is currently under review here.
“With restrictions on the use of this insecticide a possibility in the future, there is an urgent need to develop alternative, environmentally friendly control agents.
Insect-specific viruses are being investigated to protect Australia’s $4 billion sugar industry in a research project at The University of Queensland.
Dr Kayvan Etebari from UQ’s School of the Environment is using genomics to identify viruses which could be developed into environmentally safe biopesticides to attack notorious pests like canegrubs and soldier flies.
“Canegrubs are the most significant root-feeding pest, causing significant yield losses in Australia’s most productive sugarcane regions and farmers currently rely on a single insecticide, imidacloprid, which is currently under review here.
“With restrictions on the use of this insecticide a possibility in the future, there is an urgent need to develop alternative, environmentally friendly control agents.
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