Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
mutant eye color genes may exhibit abnormal behavior, which could reduce
their effectiveness in the field. The effects of GFP on vision could be important if
the GFP is expressed in the eyes (
Horn et al. 2000
). Normal behavior often is cru-
cial to the function of released genetically modified arthropods.
14.10 How to Deploy Genetically Modified Pest and Beneficial
Arthropods
A critically important step is consideration of
how
to use a genetically modified
arthropod strain in pest-management programs (
Table 14.2
, Phase III). Ideally,
the questions outlined in
Table 14.7
should be considered when
initiating
the
project, because genetic manipulation projects of beneficial or pest arthropods
are neither rapid, inexpensive, nor simple. Understanding the biology and ecol-
ogy of the target species is essential (
Scott et al. 2008
).
The efficacy of a “drive” mechanism (such as
Wolbachia
or active TEs) com-
bined with a “driven gene” to control a pest population has not yet been
demonstrated in any practical pest-management program. Although some
small-scale experimental releases have occurred (with nontransgenic insects),
this type of pest population manipulation raises several questions regard-
ing risk and effectiveness. Clearly, the driver and the gene to be driven should
be strongly linked if the combined system is to spread through a population
(
Kidwell and Ribeiro 1992, Brookfield and Badge 1997, Curtis 2000, Braig and
Yan 2002, James 2004, 2005
,
Sinkins and Gould 2006, Chen et al. 2007, Huang
et al. 2007, Benedict et al. 2008
).
Genetic control (SIRM or SIT) programs usually require repeated releases of
large numbers of sterile pests. The insects produced must be free of diseases,
vigorous, competitive, and free of genetic deterioration caused by inbreed-
ing or inadvertent selection for laboratory adaptations (
Bush 1979, Benedict
et al. 2009
). Large-scale rearing of insects is difficult and expensive. If the goal
is to release pests, such as mosquitoes, that are able to reproduce and may bite
humans and domestic animals, it also will be important to have the consent and
cooperation of the human inhabitants of the release area (
Aultman et al. 2000,
Marshall et al. 2010
). Past genetic-control programs involving releases of mos-
quito vectors of disease have elicited concern by inhabitants of the affected area
(
Pal 1974
).
Will it be possible to use induced reproductive incompatibility, per-
haps caused by the symbiont
Wolbachia
, to control pests? This prospect
has been discussed since
Laven (1951)
observed the impact of cytoplasmic
