A New Tool for Precision Pest Control: Functional validation of a minimal white pupae gene construct in the Mediterranean fruit fly

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.