Research Terms
Pest Management Sustainable Agriculture Virology Molecular Biology Entomology
Keywords
Biotechnology Entomology Microbiology Virology
Industries
Sustainable Agriculture Biotech
Rutter, L., Carrillo-Tripp, J., Bonning, B.C., Cook, D., Toth, A.L., Dolezal, A.G. 2019. Transcriptomic responses to diet quality and viral infection in Apis mellifera. BMC Genomics 20:412. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-019-5767-1
Bonning, B.C. 2019. The Insect Virome: Opportunities and Challenges. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 34: 1-12 https://doi.org/10.21775/cimb.034.001
Bonning, B.C. 2019. The Insect Virome: Opportunities and Challenges. In Insect Molecular Virology: Advances and Emerging Trends, B.C. Bonning, ed. (Norfolk, UK: Caister Academic Press), pp.
Fernandez-Luna, M.T., Kumar, P., Hall, D.G., Mitchell, A.T., Blackburn, M.B., Bonning, B.C. 2019. Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis-derived pesticidal proteins Cry1Ab and Cry1Ba against Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera). Toxins pii: E173. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11030173
Dolezal, A.G., Carrillo-Tripp, J., Judd, T., Miller, W.A., Bonning, B.C., Toth, A.L. 2019. Interacting stressors matter: Diet quality and virus infection in honey bee health. R Soc Open Sci. 2019 Feb 6;6(2):181803. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181803
Liu, S., Lomate, P.R., Bonning, B.C. 2018. Tissue-specific transcription of proteases and nucleases across the accessory salivary gland, principal salivary gland and gut of Nezara viridula. Insect Biochem Molecul Biol 103: 36-45 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.10.003
Kemmerer, M., Bonning, B.C. 2018. Transcytosis of Junonia coenia densovirus VP4 across the gut epithelium of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Insect Science https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12600
Lomate, P.R., Bonning, B.C. 2018. Proteases and nucleases involved in the biphasic digestion process of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 98(3):e21459 https://doi.org/10.1002/arch.21459
Genersch, E., Jensen, A.B. Bonning, B.C. 2018. Editorial Overview: Bee health in the modern age: a major concern. Current Opinion in Insect Science 26: ix-xi. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2018.03.002
Liu, S., Chen, Y., Sappington, T.W., Bonning, B.C. 2017. Genome Sequence of a Small RNA Virus, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera virus 2, a Novel Virus of the Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Genome Announcements 5(20). pii: e00365-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00365-17
Liu, S., Chen, Y., Sappington, T.W., Bonning, B.C. 2017. Genome Sequence of a Novel Positive Sense, Single-Stranded RNA Virus Isolated from Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Genome Announcements 5(20). pii: e00366-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00366-17
Adema, C.M. et al. (Bonning, B.C. 19th of 117 authors) 2017. Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail. Nature Communications 8:15451. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms15451
Feng, Y., Krueger, E.N. Liu*, S., Dorman, K., Bonning, B.C., Miller, W.A. 2017. Discovery of known and novel viral genomes in soybean aphid by deep sequencing. Phytobiomes 1(1): 36-45 https://doi.org/10.1094/PBIOMES-11-16-0013-R
Liu, S., Chen, Y., Sappington, T.W., Bonning, B.C. 2017. Genome sequence of the first coleopteran iflavirus isolated from western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Genome Announcements 5(6) e01530-16. https://doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.01530-16
Doumayrou, J., Sheber, M., Bonning, B.C., Miller, W.A. 2017. Quantification of Pea enation mosaic virus 1 and 2 during infection of Pisum sativum by one step real-time RT-PCR. J Virol. Methods 240: 63-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jviromet.2016.11.013
Entomological Society of America, Fellow; 2013 - present
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow; 2010 - present
American Society for Microbiology, Member; 1992 - present
American Society for Virology, Member; 1992 - present
Society for Invertebrate Pathology , Member; 1990 - present
Center for Arthropod Management (CAMTech)
| Director |
Bryony Bonning |
| Phone | (352) 273-3984 |
| Website | http://www.iucrc-camtech.org/ |
| Mission | CAMTech links the efforts of industry, government and academia toward effective management of arthropod and nematode pests. Through pre-competitive research, we develop new tools and provide the knowledge necessary to effectively translate and apply novel pest management strategies to the field. |
A fusion protein comprising Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) coat protein, a proline-rich linker, and an insect-specific neurotoxin would allow for developing transgenic crops with resistance to the whitefly. Whiteflies feed on about 500 different plant species and transmit more than 600 strains of Begomoviruses, which are among the most economically destructive crop pathogens in the world. Begomoviral infection can result in losses of up to 100 percent of crops, such as beans, tomatoes, potatoes, cotton, okra, and pepper. The efficacy of available control methods – chemical pesticides – is decreasing because of increased resistance to the pesticides used. The pest control market is projected to reach $35.1 billion by 2030.
Researchers at the University of Florida have created a delivery system fusing TYLCV coat protein with an insect toxin that when expressed by a plant will suppress whitefly populations. This innovation enables the application of plant-incorporated protectants, reduces the need to spray crops with insecticides, and targets a specific insect pest – protecting off-target and beneficial insects.
Plant-incorporated protectant for whitefly control in crops
The TYLCV virion binds to the gut epithelium and crosses into the hemocoel of the whitefly vector. Researchers have discovered the TYLCV coat protein alone, can be used as a delivery vehicle for transport from the gut into the whitefly body. When linked to a peptide toxin, the coat protein enables the delivery of insecticidal peptides to their site of action within the whitefly body cavity. This paves the way to managing this agricultural pest and the viral diseases that it vectors by expressing the TYLCV coat protein linked to a whitefly-specific neurotoxin in crops that are susceptible to whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viral disease.
A fusion protein comprised of a densovirus coat protein, a proline-rich linker, and an insect-specific neurotoxin allows for the development of transgenic crops with resistance to lepidopteran (caterpillar) pests. Insects cause agricultural loss and economic damage worldwide. Caterpillar pests, such as the fall armyworm, are among the most notorious and difficult pests to manage, with resistance to current control methods hampering management efforts. Alternative, environmentally friendly, and economical methods are needed to reduce damage to crop and ornamental plants caused by insect infestation.
There is a growing shift from chemical insecticides toward eco-friendly biopesticide alternatives that offer effective pest control with reduced environmental impact. The biopesticide industry continues to grow both scientifically and economically. In 2024, the global biopesticides market was valued at USD 8.73 billion, and is projected to reach USD 28.61 billion by 2031.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a delivery system for insect-specific toxins that, when expressed by or delivered from a plant, will suppress lepidopteran pests. The coat protein of a densovirus that infects caterpillars can be used as a delivery vehicle for neurotoxins to their site of action within the body of the insect.
This approach enables the application of plant-incorporated protectants, reduces the need for chemical sprays, and targets a specific pest insect without negatively impacting off-target and beneficial species. The delivery system is equipped with gut-binding and transcytosis capabilities, offering a versatile and sustainable solution for managing agricultural pests for the delivery of diverse toxins that act within the hemocoel.
Plant-incorporated protectant for lepidopteran control in crops
The densovirus coat protein binds the gut epithelium and crosses into the hemocoel, or body cavity. When fused to a peptide toxin, the coat protein delivers the insecticidal peptides to their site of action. Because of the highly specific nature of both the delivery vehicle and the neurotoxins, non-target species remain unaffected. Current research demonstrates successful penetration of the gut epithelial layer in the fall armyworm and other lepidopteran species.
Caterpillars feed on a crop plant bioengineered to express the densovirus coat protein-neurotoxin fusion. Following ingestion, the fusion protein binds to the gut surface and then crosses the gut epithelium by transcytosis, delivering the neurotoxin to its site of action, namely the nerves on the surface of the gut. The neurotoxin is ineffective on ingestion without this delivery vehicle.
