REACT Engages Media in Naousa to Showcase Localised SIT Strategy Against Invasive Fruit Flies

In early September 2025, REACT hosted international journalists in Naousa, Greece, to showcase its localized Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) strategy against invasive Mediterranean fruit flies. Through hands-on demonstrations—from small-scale rearing to molecular diagnostics—the event highlighted how SIT can be adapted to Europe’s diverse fruit-growing regions. Led by experts from the Universities of Thessaly, Giessen, and Patras, the visit generated strong media coverage across Europe, positioning REACT as a model for integrating plant-health innovation with proactive science communication.

In the face of mounting agricultural threats from climate change and invasive pests, scientists are advancing pest control with precision genetic engineering. A recent review by REACT researchers in Insect Science showcases breakthrough innovations enhancing the sterile insect technique (SIT), a method known for eco-friendly pest suppression. From CRISPR/Cas9-driven systems and fluorescent sex-sorting to gene drives and tetracycline-repressible lethality, these tools offer scalable, targeted alternatives to traditional SIT methods. This research marks a significant leap toward sustainable, high-efficiency pest management strategies.

React Insect

fruit fly control

REACT Engages Media in Naousa to Showcase Localised SIT Strategy Against Invasive Fruit Flies

Engineering Precision: Genetic Innovation Boosts Fruit Fly SIT Efficiency

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