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10-Minute Presentation

Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology

10-min: PBT, Toxicology

Discovery of natural insecticides against Navel orangeworm

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
8:12 AM – 8:24 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 226 B, PCC
Oral Presentation
We discovered novel, safe, and effective insecticides against the Navel Orangeworm (NOW), Amyelois transitella, the major pest of California tree nuts and predominant vector for fungal infestation and subsequent mycotoxin contamination. First, we established a library of candidate natural chemicals already FDA-approved for use as food additives and/or flavor enhancers. Among these, 40 molecules demonstrated desired insecticidal efficacy against NOW and showed broad-spectrum insecticidal properties against other insect pests. Furthermore, some of the chemicals were found to directly inhibit the growth of the mycotoxin-producing fungi associated with NOW, thus providing dual protection against contamination of nuts.