Ridge Quest Inc. was awarded a $600,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Project Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop an improved mating disruption product for oriental fruit moth. The SBIR program aims to support technological innovation through federal research funding.
Under the award, Ridge Quest will develop a new mating disruption product called Tangler OFM that utilizes a bolas-style capsule to rapidly and efficiently disperse pheromone dispensers throughout tree canopies from a distance. The goal is to create a product that provides season-long control of oriental fruit moth populations at a significantly lower cost than existing hand-applied options. Ridge Quest will evaluate Tangler OFM's efficacy, optimal application rates, and membrane formulation to ensure controlled release of active ingredients throughout the pest's flight period. Successful development of this product could help increase grower adoption of mating disruption technologies and reduce reliance on insecticides.