DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE-SPECIFIC LETHALITY SYSTEM FOR INSECT POPULATION CONTROL

摘要

The application describes a transgenic insect comprising a developmental stage-specific lethality system. The developmental stage-specific lethality system comprises a first gene expression cassette comprising a first promoter/enhancer element of a developmental stage-specific gene derived from an insect pest species, preferably from a member of the family Tephritidae, a first component of a transactivating system, a second gene expression cassette comprising a second component of the transactivating system, a second promoter responsive to the activity of the transactivating system, and a lethality inducing system. Also, the application describes a method of controlling reproduction in an insect population of interest, comprising providing a plurality of insects according to the invention and allowing the insects to interbreed with insects of the population of interest. Further, the application describes a method for producing transgenic insects comprising a developmental stage-specific lethality system comprising providing a set of insects comprising gene expression cassettes according to the invention, and further evaluating the insects or offspring thereof for functionality of the developmental stage-specific lethality system. Also, the application describes the use of a transgenic insect according to the invention for controlling reproduction in an insect population of interest. Further, the application describes a developmental stage-specific lethality system for use in a transgenic insect comprising gene expression cassettes according to the invention.