Compositions and methods for controlling arthorpod parasite and pest infestations

Abstract

This application provides and discloses anti-parasitic, anti-pest or insecticidal nucleic acid molecules and their calmodulin target genes for the control of arthropod parasites and pests. This application further provides methods and compositions for the control and treatment of parasites and pests in Apis mellifera (honey bee) hives.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of providing a composition to a honeybee, comprising providing the bee an effective amount of a composition comprising an excipient and a nucleic acid that is at least 95% identical or complementary to at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:3, or an RNA transcribed therefrom. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said honeybee is a forager. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said honeybee is a hive bee. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said honeybee is a bee of a colony and said feeding reduces the susceptibility of said bee colony to  Varroa destructor.    
     
     
         35 . A method of reducing the parasitation of a honeybee by  Varroa destructor , comprising providing the bee an effective amount a nucleic acid composition, wherein said nucleic acid is is at least 95% identical or complementary to at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:3, or an RNA transcribed therefrom, thereby reducing the parasitation of said bee by  Varroa destructor.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said honeybee is a forager. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said honeybee is a hive bee. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said honeybee is a bee of a colony and said feeding reduces the parasitation of said bee colony by  Varroa destructor.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said reduction of parasitation of said bee colony comprises survival of less than 25%, 15%, 10%, or 5% of said  Varroa destructor.    
     
     
         40 . A method of reducing the parasite load of a honeybee hive, comprising providing said hive an effective amount of a nucleic acid that is at least 95% identical or complementary to SEQ ID NO:3, or an RNA transcribed therefrom, whereby the parasite load of said hive is reduced. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said parasite is  Varroa destructor.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said honeybee hive has an initial parasite load of at least 1 parasite per 100 bees. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said honeybee hive has an initial parasite load of 2, 3, 5, 10, or more parasites per 100 bees. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said parasite load is reduced to less than 2, less than 3, less than 5, or less than 10 parasites per 100 bees. 
     
     
         45 . A method of selectively treating an arthropod species for parasites, comprising delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid that is at least 95% identical or complementary to SEQ ID NO: 3, or an RNA transcribed therefrom, to an arthropod species. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said treatment decreases the parasitic load of said arthropod species, reduces the death of said arthropod species, or prevents parasitation of said arthropod species. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said arthropod species is  Apis mellifera  or  Apis cerana.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said arthropod species is a colony species. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said arthropod species is  Apis Mellifera.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said parasites is  Acari  (ticks, mites). 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein said parasite is a mite or a tick. 
     
     
         53 - 62 . (canceled)