In the HEMINT Project, RNAi will be explored for the control of two hemipteran species that cause severe damages to crops: the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), main vector of Flavescence dorée (FD) phytoplasmas of grapevine. Both species currently require repeated applications of chemical insecticides for their control, thus disrupting the IPM programs developed in their absence in orchards and vineyards. Therefore, innovative and sustainable alternative strategies are urgently needed. The occurrence of RNAi in the pests under study, already reported by the Research Units involved in HEMINT, is the essential precondition for a successful outcome of the project.
Project Leader: Luciana Galetto
IPSP personnel: Cristina Marzachì, Sabrina Palmano, Marta Vallino, Marika Rossi, Simona Abbà, Flavio Veratti, Elena Zocca, Concetta Mottura, Anna Romagnoli, Rosaria Fusco, Josè Saporita.
Start: 12/10/2023
End: 28/02/2026