A new REACT-supported study published in the Bulletin of Entomological Research explores how Enterobacter-based dietary supplements influence the thermal performance of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies. The findings provide valuable insights into nutrition, microbiota and cold-stress recovery, contributing to the optimisation of Sterile Insect Technique programmes.
In this study, we designed and validated a minimal version of the white pupae gene (mini-wp), which restores wild-type pupal colour in Medfly mutants. The construct was effective across various genomic insertion sites, even on the X chromosome, and supports the development of neo-classical Genetic Sexing Strains (GSS) for enhanced Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) programmes.
This new tool could help to expand the SIT to more pest species, making mass-rearing and male-only releases more precise and efficient.
10th IOBC-WPRS Working Group Meeting
DATE
22.–24. Nov 2026
LOCATION
OAC, Chania, Crete
The IOBC-WPRS Working Group “Modern Biotechnology in Integrated Plant Production” invites you to a joint meeting held in collaboration with the EU-funded project REACT.
Submit your abstract now → Register for the conference →MORE INFORMATION: iobc-wprs.react-insect.eu
