The main goal of this project is to field test dsrna (double-stranded ribonucleic acid) formulation for control of the asian longhorn beetle

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $165,850 cooperative agreement to The University of Kentucky Research Foundation on September 30, 2026, to field test double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) formulation for control of the Asian longhorn beetle through September 29, 2027.

The project will inject optimized dsRNA formulations into host trees and measure efficacy under field conditions. Previous laboratory studies demonstrated that orally delivered dsRNA induces target gene knockdown and mortality in Asian longhorned beetle larvae. The recipient will determine optimal injection dose, injection frequency, and enhancing compounds, then inject treated trees and harvest them to collect data on live and dead larvae and gallery damage in tree trunks. The work is performed in the United States and serves the Asian longhorn beetle cross-functional working group.

Activities

Once optimal dose, number of injections and enhancing compounds will be determined, the dsrna will be injected into host trees. Deliverables and expected outcomes: data on the efficacy of dsrna in controlling ALB under field conditions. The injected trees will be harvested, and data will be collected on the number of live and dead larvae and the galleries they made in the tree trunks.

Intended beneficiaries

The asian longhorned beetle cross-functional working group.