Protecting Crops from Thrips

About

Technology: Most people have heard of the use of essential oils for insect control such as orange oil or citronella as an insect repellant. Plants have developed natural defenses against insect pathogens over millions of years and essential oils are also known to kill insects. These are EPA exempt naturally occurring insecticides. The principle components of essential oils are monoterpenes, a class of molecules that consist of two isoprene units and having the molecular formula C10H16. Biochemical modifications such as oxidation and rearrangement produce related monoterpenoids including menthol, camphor, citronellic acid, etc. While the chemical composition and insecticidal properties of essential oils are known, the effectiveness of individual terpenoids against specific insect pathogens remains very species specific.  Dr. Qing X. Li, at the University of Hawaii, has identified the most potent terpenoids useful for controlling thrips (order Thysanoptera) and has been investigating the biological mechanisms responsible for this insecticidal activity. Many thrips are pests of commercial crops due to the damage caused by feeding on developing flowers or vegetables. Thrips also serve as vectors for plant diseases, such as Tospoviruses; over 20 plant-infecting viruses are known to be transmitted by thrips. Market Description Thrips are among the fastest growing group of invasive species in the world. Examples include the Frankliniella occidentalis, Scirtothrips dorsalis, and Thrips palmi. Thrips develop resistance to pesticides easily and there is constant research on how to control them. This makes thrips ideal as models for testing the effectiveness of new pesticides and methods; The global pesticide market is valued at over $7 billion dollars and the estimated US spending on insecticides against thrips alone is expected to reach $418 million by 2020. Worldwide, crop damage just from thrips tospoviruses was estimated to cost over $1 billion in 1994 (http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/24426). Advantages Monoterpenoid insecticides are 100% safe, EPA exempt, and are every bit as effective as synthetic chemicals, killing insects fast without any toxins.; Many of these terpenes block octopamine neuro-receptors; octopamine is a key insect neurotransmitter that regulates insect movement, behaviour and metabolism. Blockage of the receptor prevents the transmission of octopamine signals, which delivers quick knock down, kill and repellence against a wide variety of insect pathogens.These terpenes, coming from renewable resources, are inexpensive, readily available, are 100% safe, and kill/repel insect pathogens fast without leaving harmful residues.