Compositions and methods for controlling pests

• US 10,450,583 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2015
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Tsutsui, Neil D., Tonione, Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Ibrahim, Medina A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhong, Wayne
• Application Number:
  US15/303,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20170029846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/1137 against enzymes viral enzymes C12N15/1131; receptors C12N15/1138
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8286 for insect resistance
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 2310/14 interfering N.A.

Abstract

The present disclosure provides interfering nucleic acids, and compositions comprising same, that reduce viability and/or activity of a pest, e.g., a Hymenoptera pest. The interfering nucleic acids and compositions are useful in controlling Hymenoptera pests, which methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A double-stranded RNA that specifically inhibits transcription or translation of an elongase gene involved in cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis in a Hymenoptera host, wherein the elongase gene comprises SEQ ID NO:

13, SEQ ID NO;

14 or SEQ ID NO;

15.

3. A bacterial host cell comprising the interfering nucleic acid of claim 1.

4. A plant genetically modified to express the interfering nucleic acid of claim 1.

5. A composition comprising the interfering nucleic acid of claim 1.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition is a spray.

7. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition is a liquid.

8. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition is a solid or semi-solid.

9. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition is a food source for a Hymenoptera host.

10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the food source is nectar.

11. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the composition comprises an attractant.

12. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the composition comprises a phagostimulant.

13. A method of reducing viability and/or activity of an ant, the method comprising introducing into the ant an effective amount of the double-stranded RNA of claim 1.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the double-stranded RNA is effective to reduce one or more of nestmate recognition, queen recognition, larvae recognition, egg recognition, desiccation resistance, and microbial resistance.

17. The double-stranded RNA of claim 1, comprising one or more of a base modification, a sugar modification, and a backbone modification.

18. The double-stranded RNA of claim 1, wherein the double-stranded RNA is produced by transcription of a construct comprising an elongase target sequence, wherein the construct is produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the elongase target sequence using a set of elongase primers selected from the group consisting:

a) a forward primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

1 and a reverse primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

2;

a forward primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

9 and a reverse primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

10;

b) a forward primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

3 and a reverse primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

4; and

c) a forward primer comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO;

5 and a reverse primer.

2. A recombinant expression vector comprising heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding a double-stranded RNA that specifically inhibits transcription or translation of an elongase gene involved in cuticular hydrocarbon synthesis in a Hymenoptera host, wherein the elongase gene comprises SEQ ID NO:

13, SEQ ID NO;

14 or SEQ ID NO;

15.

15. The recombinant expression vector of claim 2, wherein the nucleotide sequences are operably linked to a promoter.

16. The recombinant expression vector of claim 15, wherein the promoter is an inducible promoter.