Methods and compositions for control of arthropod pests
The present disclosure also relates to compositions and methods relating to reducing the potency of arthropods using double-stranded RNA and agents to control pests of bees and beehives.
1. A method of treating or preventing an Varroa destructor infestation of a beehive or bee colony comprising:
(a) providing to the beehive or bee colony a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a dsRNA that comprises a sequence that is complementary or identical to at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of a Varroa destructor messenger RNA (mRNA); and sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate, or both; and
(b) providing an agent to control mites to the beehive or bee colony, wherein the agent to control mites is amitraz;
thereby treating or preventing the Varroa destructor infestation of the beehive or bee colony.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a carbohydrate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the carbohydrate is sucrose composition further comprises a food grade preservative.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is provided before the agent to control mites.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent to control mites is provided before the nucleic acid molecule.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid molecule and the agent to control mites are provided at least 1 day apart.
7. A method of causing mortality or reducing the fecundity of a Varroa destructor mite comprising:
(a) providing to the Varroa destructor mite a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule and sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate, or both, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a dsRNA that comprises a sequence that is complementary to a Varroa destructor mite messenger RNA (mRNA); and
(b) providing an agent to control mites to the Varroa destructor mite, wherein the agent to control mites is amitraz;
thereby causing mortality or reducing the fecundity of the Varroa destructor mite.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mortality occurs within 30 days of providing the nucleic acid molecule.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the reduced fecundity comprises a reduction in Varroa destructor mite egg production of at least 1% as compared to a Varroa destructor mite egg production in a control beehive not provided the nucleic acid molecule and agent to control mites.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the Varroa destructor mite is present in a beehive or bee colony.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is complementary or identical to at least 19 contiguous nucleotides of a Varroa destructor m RNA.
13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the composition further comprises a carbohydrate.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the carbohydrate is sucrose.
15. The method of claim 7 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is provided before the agent to control mites.
16. The method of claim 7 , wherein the agent to control mites is provided before the nucleic acid molecule.
17. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one nucleic acid molecule and the agent to control mites are provided at least 1 day apart.