Research & Development
Making a great bait involves a thorough understanding of the biology of the target insect as well as the ingredients that comprise the bait. In addition, ensuring the continued success of our products requires insight into insect adaptations such as the evolution of behavioral and physiological resistance. When one approach fails, new, improved methods must be developed. To this end, we are tirelessly conducting basic and applied studies of insect behavior, physiology, chemical ecology, and more. Our research endeavors include not only product development, but also contract research, and basic science studies that contribute to the broader scientific community.
Insect Bait DevelopmentTo develop our products,we test the attractiveness and palatability of matrix ingredients as well as insecticidal efficacy and speed of kill in important target species. We additionally examine complex factors such as secondary kill to yield maximal results.
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Contract ResearchWhile we develop and test our own proprietary technologies in house, we offer licensing rights to interested parties and provide contract research services to aid others in product development and evaluation. Please feel free to contact us for contract research.
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Basic ScienceThe development of innovative new insect control technologies and the continued success of existing strategies starts with scientific discovery. Our basic research projects include: understanding insect attraction and repulsion, understanding the evolution of bait resistance and aversion, and understanding how insect-microbe interactions can be leveraged for biological control.
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Selected publications
Cockroach:
Liang, D.,McGill, J., and J.E. Pietri (2017) Unidirectional cross-resistance in German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae) under exposure to insecticidal baits. J Econ Entomol. DOI:10.1093/jee/tox144.
Bed bug:
Pietri, J.E. and D. Liang (2018) Virulence of entomopathogenic bacteria in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. J Invert Pathol. 151:1-6.
Yellow jacket:
Liang, D., and J.E. Pietri (2017) Enhanced trapping of yellowjacket wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) via spatial partitioning of attractants. Insects. 8:17.
Ant:
Liang, D., G.J. Blomquist, and J. Silverman (2001) Hydrocarbon-induced nestmate aggression in the Argentine ant,Linepithema humile, following encounters with insect prey. Comp Biochem Physiol. Part B 129:871-882.
Liang, D.,McGill, J., and J.E. Pietri (2017) Unidirectional cross-resistance in German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae) under exposure to insecticidal baits. J Econ Entomol. DOI:10.1093/jee/tox144.
Bed bug:
Pietri, J.E. and D. Liang (2018) Virulence of entomopathogenic bacteria in the bed bug, Cimex lectularius. J Invert Pathol. 151:1-6.
Yellow jacket:
Liang, D., and J.E. Pietri (2017) Enhanced trapping of yellowjacket wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) via spatial partitioning of attractants. Insects. 8:17.
Ant:
Liang, D., G.J. Blomquist, and J. Silverman (2001) Hydrocarbon-induced nestmate aggression in the Argentine ant,Linepithema humile, following encounters with insect prey. Comp Biochem Physiol. Part B 129:871-882.