Abstract
The field performance of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is improved by sex-sorting and releasing only sterile males. This can be accomplished by resource-intensive separation of males from females by morphology. Alternatively, sex-ratio biasing genetic constructs can be used to selectively remove one sex without the need for manual or automated sorting, but the resulting genetically engineered (GE) control agents would be subject to additional governmental regulation. Here we describe and demonstrate a genetic method for the batch production of non-GE males. This method could be applied to generate the heterogametic sex (XY, or WZ) in any organism with chromosomal sex determination. We observed up to 100% sex-selection with batch cultures of more than 103 individuals. Using a stringent transgene detection assay, we demonstrate the potential of mass production of transgene free males.
Highlights
Insect pests impose a major burden to food production and human health worldwide
A repressible lethal genetic construct can be designed with a conditionally-expressed promoter driving a toxic gene product
The basic genetic parts have been demonstrated in numerous pest insects and we believe that Subtractive Transgene Sex Sorting (STSS) can be readily adapted to improve sterile insect technique (SIT) programs by enabling efficient sex-sorting for male only release
Summary
Insect pests impose a major burden to food production and human health worldwide. The most successful population control method in use today is the sterile insect technique (SIT)[1]. SIT relies on mass rearing of pest insects followed by a sterilization treatment (e.g. X-ray irradiation). Sterilized insects are released into the wild where sterile males compete with wild males to mate with wild females. Since females of many pest insects only mate once in their lifetime, mating with a sterile male prevents successful reproduction. Large releases of sterile insects can be used to eliminate wild populations or prevent their establishment in a new area[2]. SIT is considered safe to humans and the environment, as there are less off-target impacts compared to the application of chemical pesticides
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