Source: ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. submitted to NRP
SPLAT TK: SEMIOCHEMICAL CONTROL OF THE DEER TICK
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1006271
Grant No.
2015-33610-23427
Cumulative Award Amt.
$100,000.00
Proposal No.
2015-00551
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2015
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2016
Grant Year
2015
Program Code
[8.6]- Rural & Community Development
Recipient Organization
ISCA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2060 CHICAGO AVE STE C2
RIVERSIDE,CA 92507
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Ixodes scapularis is a species of tick, commonly referred to as deer tick, it is of major medical and veterinary significance throughout the northeastern United States due to its capacity to transmit tick borne diseases like Lyme disease and several other zoonotic pathogens. The increasing incidence of transmission of these tick-borne disease, in both animals and humans necessitates a control product to manage deer ticks before they are able to harm both animal and human populations. ISCA Technologies will research and develop SPLAT® TK an attract and kill (A&K) formulation designed to target all active stages of the deer tick. Attraction to SPLAT TK blended with an acaricide component will result in the death or significant debilitation of questing (human or animal seeking) ticks within the area of treatment.Following the optimization of the SPLAT TK product in a laboratory setting, small scale field trials in areas with a high density of deer ticks will be conducted with prototype SPLAT TK formulations. Deer tick surveillance will be employed during the field trial to determine the presence or absence of deer ticks following SPLAT TK treatments and compared to an untreated area. If fewer ticks are observed in the SPLAT TK areas then will suggest that the SPLAT TK treatments are negatively affecting the deer tick population. These results will then be published and presented at various pest control meetings and in particular revealed to vector control agencies.This project hopes to not only to safeguard the health of human and animal residents of our nation's rural communities, but also to expand opportunities for economic growth within these communities by bolstering such industries as rural tourism, camping, hiking, fishing, and agri-tourism, all of which are currently hampered by the lack of viable control options for disease-carrying ticks. This innovative, effective, and environmentally-sustainable approach to tick control will be developed for application in livestock, consumer, public health, parks and recreation, and forestry pest management programs.
Animal Health Component
20%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
20%
Developmental
70%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
31231201130100%
Goals / Objectives
This phase I project will have the following goals and milestones:· Formulating and optimizing the optimum blend of tick semiochemicals in SPLAT TK· Determine physical persistence and long term release rate of SPLAT TK· Demonstrates the capacity of SPLAT TK to control populations of deer ticks in small scale field trials.
Project Methods
Formulating and optimizing the optimum blend of tick semiochemicals in SPLAT TK. Five different SPLAT formulations will be formulated with two different concentrations of the deer tick semiochemical blend. These formulations will be evaluated for biological activity. Biological activity will be determined in lab and semi-field settings with the pest in question, Deer tick, for the desired effect of attraction and Determine physical persistence and long term release rate of SPLAT TK. The top two performing formulations as elucidated from biological activity evaluations will be evaluated for release rates and field longevity. These will be conducted in the field under similar conditions that SPLAT TK is expected to they will be aged in the field to determine how long the active ingredient remains in the SPLAT formulation and to determine approximate field life.Demonstrate the capacity of SPLAT TK to control populations of deer ticks in small scale field trials. The top two performing formulations will then be assessed in real world or field situations. These small field trials of 1 acre plots will be evaluated for tick suppression or reduction.

Progress 06/01/15 to 01/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Vector Control Agencies US Government Department of Health Forestry Cattle Industry Pet Owners Ecotourists Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Application of SPLAT TK was taught to research personnel and students for field trials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All goals were achieved in this Phase I grant, formulating and optimizing of the SPLAT TK formulations at two different semiochemical and attractant concentrations. Two methods of optimization were attempted, for optimal attraction of deer ticks in the field and for application of formulations in a quick and efficient manner. Achieving these goals fulfilled requirements of goal 1 - Formulating and optimizing the optimum blend of tick semiochemicals in SPLAT TK. Field aging of SPLAT TK was also completed and the persistence of AI in the field will be completed for publication of results, goal 2 was completed. The field trial was also completed in late summer 2015, results of this experiment revealed one of the two formulations performs simlarly to standard insecticide applications. Further improvement of this formulation will continue for anticipated introduction into commercial markets.

Publications