RECOMBINANT PHAGES FOR SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA CONTROL: NEW PERSPECTIVES TO TACKLE AN ECONOMIC PROBLEM

The Spodoptera frugiperda is an important pest responsible for large productivity losses of maize. Insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis have promoted substantial advances for this pest control. However, since the occurrence of resistant insects is challenging this technology, it has become crucial to develop new effective products by using innovative techniques that allow the identification of new molecules. The aim of this study was to select recombinant phages expressing exogenous peptides binders that may act against S. frugiperda. By using Phage Display technology, seven recombinant phages were successfully selected and bound to intestinal proteins. The SfF3 phage demonstrated similarity to the ABC transporter subfamily C2. In in vivo assay, wild-type phage reduced the toxicity of the B. thuringiensis toxin, and SfF3 phage has rescued the mortality of S. frugiperda neonates when used in combination with the toxin. Our innovative study validated the reliability of Phage Display technology as an agribiotechnological approach for pest control, expanding the options to identify new molecules with bioinsecticides activities.