Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests (super pests) and the diseases they transmit

Project Information

SuperPests

Grant agreement ID: 773902

DOI

10.3030/773902

Project closed

EC signature date 13 April 2018

Start date 1 September 2018

End date 28 February 2023

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 3 095 900,00

EU contribution

€ 2 991 525,00

Coordinated by

GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SuperPests (Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests (super pests) and the diseases they transmit)

Reporting period: 2021-09-01 to 2023-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SuperPests (Innovative tools for rational control of the most difficult-to-manage pests and the diseases they transmit) is an ongoing project funded within the H2020 topic “Innovations in plant protection (SFS-17-2017)”. It aims to develop and evaluate a suite of innovative products, tools and concepts, and integrate these with existing approaches using data driven mathematical models, to achieve effective and sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of the “super pests”, namely aphids, whiteflies, thrips and mites. To achieve this SuperPests develops multiplex and automated sample-to-answer diagnostics (biotypes, infection status and insecticide resistance profile), evaluates biopesticides (green chemistry – plant extracts & metabolites, synergists, RNAi and bio-stimulants), studies host plant resistance to pests and compatibility with biological control, selects natural enemies better suited to certain crops and IPM, and develops predictive mathematical models, iteratively validated against experimental data, to determine optimal combinations for IPM. The successful completion of SuperPests will create opportunities for the exploitation of whole range of multi-actor and multidisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge translational technologies. The project has extensive synergies with parallel large international programs. The project is coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens (PI John Vontas, [e-mail]) and will be fully developed until 2023.5.2

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The following work has been carried out by the consortium during the SuperPests project:
-Support evidence-based IPM: New resistance markers identified in SuperPests. Based on these and other previously established markers, two diagnostic solutions (the automated LabDisk and the “high-tech” ddPCR) were developed for profiling SuperPests and decide which pesticides should, or should not, be used to restrain SuperPests
-New biotechnology-based pipelines: A virtual insectary has been created. A panel of publicly available transgenic Drosophila lines, has been generated. A library of SuperPest P450s available for use has been constructed. High throughput in vitro CYP-based screening assays have been produced.
-Testing of anti-resistance potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds and environmentally-friendly biopesticides: The anti-resistance inhibition potential of novel candidate insecticidal compounds (e.g. PBO analogues, potential P450 inhibitors derived from plant metabolites) was assessed and significant P450 inhibition was identified in some cases.Tests of non-conventional chemistry formulations have been performed, which revealed very good potential for the control of resistant pests. Targets for RNAi-based control have been identified. The biopesticides appeared to be safe to biocontrol agents and pollinators.
-Analyse pest effectors of plant host resistance: Salivary effector proteins and target proteins were identified. The effector G4 was selected for further analysis. Overall, 2 interacting proteins of G4 were confirmed. The knockdown of one of these genes shows the whiteflies are more attracted to the plants compared to the negative control. In addition, the knockdown may reduce the oviposition.
-Enhance the control capacity of biological control agents (BCA): Key inducible plant defences on SuperPests were identified. The BCA’s size was associated to the predators’ ability to overcome the constitutive defenses. Plant traits responsible for predator establishment failure were determined. Predator strains resistant to major pesticides, as well as strains tolerant to tomato plants were developed.
- Determine optimal combinations for effective and sustainable IPM: We developed a web-based app for exploring the dynamics of tri-trophic predator-prey model and tested for general behaviour and for specific pest-predator combinations. With regards to optimal IPM strategies, our results clearly demonstrate that mathematical modelling can provide an important tool to inform on optimal IPM strategies specific to particular pests and control measures. Model predictions for optimal IPM were tested experimentally in small scale CE room experiments and experimental greenhouses, with the optimal combination of existing and novel control tools against major superpests.
- Achieve knowledge integration: Review documents on biopesticide pest control options and regulatory pathways were produced. A total of 3 SuperPests workshops and webinars took place. A total of 7 practice abstracts were produced. 2 focus groups were organized. E-learning units including a series of quizzes were produced. Several targeted dissemination and communication activities performed (workshops, webinars, seminars, exhibitions, pitching events and invited talks).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In order to produce sufficient and safe food, the usage of conventional pesticides needs to be decreased dramatically in a short period of time; this is the main driver for SuperPests. SuperPests’ expected results results and potential impacts are:
(1) SuperPests will identify, develop and validate new biopesticide molecules such as green chemistry natural extracts, plant metabolites and biostimulators and biotechnology-based agents with increased specificity and reduced effects on non-target organisms and natural resources.
(2) SuperPests will explore pest effectors that modulate plant-insect interactions, to identify novel biostimulants and/or targets for breeding host-plant resistance.
(3) The project will develop a number of tools and strategies for the intelligent/rational control of the “super pests”, in the framework of evidence-based IPM, to help secure sustainable production of pesticide-free food reducing environmental impact and strengthen the European knowledge-based bioeconomy.
(4) SuperPests will increase food safety by means of experimentally demonstrated reduction of pesticide residues, as well as robust dissemination routes for the acceptance of novel biopesticides and modern IPM practices in the EU
(5) SuperPests will generate knowledge to support future developments in plant protection, for example: (a) Novel sample-to-answer diagnostics for monitoring pest populations, (b) Screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for high-throughput testing of novel lead compounds, (c) Database with valuable information for future development of biopesticides or resistant plants
(6) SuperPests will assemble screening platforms and evaluation pipelines for rapid testing of novel compounds that can serve the biopesticide and agrochemical industry as part of development pipelines or the production of registration dossiers.
(7) The proposed research has outstanding potential to enhance performance and growth of multiple sectors in Europe including increasing Europe’s international reputation as an innovation hub in biopesticide development and biotechnology.
Furthermore, the outcome of reduced pesticide use is also likely to have clear societal impacts, for example consumers would have less concerns about pesticide residues on the fruit and vegetables. Significant environmental benefits of reduced synthetic pesticide use are also envisaged including less use of finite and potentially polluting raw materials, less risk of off-target effects and reduced risk of contamination of water streams/sources.

SuperPests' Overall Progress at a glance