Next-generation insecticide strategies to reduce virus risk and aphid pressure in grain crops

This project aims to improve the effectiveness of insecticide use for managing aphid-transmitted viruses in grain crops. Current strategies focus on reducing aphid populations, but virus transmission can occur before aphids are killed, limiting the effectiveness of control measures. This proof-of-concept study will test whether aligning insecticide timing with aphid feeding behaviour can reduce virus transmission. The outcomes will provide evidence to support more targeted and efficient use of insecticides and inform future research on improved

This proof-of-concept project will evaluate whether insecticide timing aligned with aphid feeding behaviour can reduce transmission of aphid-borne viruses in grain crops. Current management strategies primarily target vector mortality, yet virus transmission can occur prior to aphid death, limiting control efficacy. Using controlled environment experiments, the project will quantify the effects of insecticides on aphid feeding dynamics and relate these to virus transmission outcomes across different transmission modes. The work will generate mechanistic evidence linking feeding disruption to infection risk, providing a basis for optimising insecticide application strategies. Outcomes will inform subsequent research on evaluating different chemistries and modes of action for improved management of vector-borne viruses.

This project will determine whether insecticide timing can disrupt aphid feeding within the virus transmission window, rather than relying on vector mortality alone. It will quantify the relationship between feeding disruption and virus transmission, identifying when insecticide applications can reduce infection risk. The findings will provide a mechanistic basis for optimising insecticide use and guide future evaluation of chemistries and modes of action targeting virus transmission.