On the mornings of June 26 and 28, 2023, at the invitation of the School of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Camilo Ayra-Pardo, senior researcher of the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, Cuba, and Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (FRES) in the United Kingdom, gave two lectures entitled Body size-dependent effects on the distribute patterns of phoretic mite species assemblages onRhynchophorus ferrugineus and Body size-dependent effects on the distribute patterns of phoretic mite species assemblages onRhynchophorus ferrugineus in the East Borui Building. The lectures were presided over by Li Dandan, head of the Institute of Modern Biotechnology. Niu Qiuhong, vice dean of the School of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, and some teachers and students of the school attended the lectures.

Camilo first introduced the full-variation life cycle of red palm weevils, their larval hiding and control, and their threat to the diversity of palm trees and coastal Marine biological systems in Southern Europe. Through the study of the coexistence mechanism of mixed mite populations in polysymbiotic hosts, the understanding of the biological, physical and chemical dynamics of these environments and of the impact of human activities have been enhanced. It also helps to reveal the link between the functioning of Marine ecosystems and the fate of the planet. Secondly, a high specific and low toxicity insecticidal RNAi technology was introduced, which is durable and environmentally friendly. At the same time, bacteria can be used as a carrier to achieve large-scale screening of insecticidal RNAi targets. This study provides a solid theoretical basis for the use of new RNAi biopesticides to control lepidoptera pests.

After the lectures, Camilo had an exchange with the participating teachers. The academic reports are rich in content and unique in insight, which deepen the international exchanges and cooperation of our university, promote the enthusiasm of the teachers and the students for scientific research, and create a good academic atmosphere.

Written by: Yang Shuqiong

Photos by: Zhang Bing

Source: NYNU News (Chinese)

https://www.nynu.edu.cn/info/1048/26336.htm