Objective: USDA-ARS is looking for a partner to commercialize an important insect control technology, possibly a bait formulation.

Overview: Insect neuropeptides are short chains of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) that regulate a number of physiological processes critical for insect survival. Insect neuropeptides in and of themselves hold little promise as insect control agents because of their susceptibility to being degraded in the target insect, instability under environmental conditions, and inability to pass through the outside skin (cuticle) of the insect.

Related Technology: ARS researchers have developed and patented (USPN 5,795,857 and USPN 5,792,446) artificial copies of insects’ brain chemicals that could prove useful for controlling insect behavior. These synthetic brain chemicals disrupt insect digestion, development, reproduction, and other vital body functions. The chemicals mimic natural chemicals in an insect’s brain, called neuropeptides, which control development, digestion, and water balance. Changing an insect’s behavior by messing with its brain may be the way to stop pests in the future.

Industry Type: The ideal partner would have expertise in chemical manufacturing and registration, be willing to support the project both intellectually and financially, and be willing to license and commercialize the insect control pseudopeptides.

Where: Southern Plains Area; USDA-ARS Area Wide Pest Management Research Unit in College Station, Texas.

Laboratory Mission: The mission of this unit is to develop, integrate, and evaluate multiple pest management strategies and technologies for field and food crops, and veterinary arthropods on an area-wide basis.

If your company is interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact our regional Technology Transfer Coordinator:

Bryan Kaphammer
USDA-ARS
1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 150
Fort Collins, CO 80525-5562
npa-spattc@npa.ars.usda.gov