Virus being developed to combat caterpillar damage

The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) is collaborating with Natural Resources Canada’s Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC), Sault Ste Marie ON, to develop a virus to combat the Velvet Bean Caterpillar. The project — to be carried out in conjunction with Brazilian scientists — builds on a technology platform developed by GLFC for the Spruce Budworm, modifying a virus containing part of the insect’s own genome. That virus interferes with the molting process, inhibits feeding and causes premature death. Velvet Bean Caterpillars are estimated to cause hundreds of millions of dollars in annual damage to soybean and other legume crops. The GLFC is operated by NRCan’s Canadian Forest Service….