Agragene and associates team up on SWD pest control

Published April 10, 2025

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Agragene and Associates Insectary have announced a partnership aimed at scaling the production and delivery of sterile insect technology to help manage Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), a significant pest affecting fresh berry crops. The technology, branded KNOCKOUT SWD by Agragene, is designed to reduce SWD populations through the release of sterile male insects.

Under the agreement, Associates Insectary will rear the sterile insects at its facility in Santa Paula, California. The company will use its experience in high-volume insect production to support the project, which seeks to provide an alternative to chemical pest control methods.

Matt Helms, Chief Commercial Officer at Agragene, said the partnership enables the company to scale production of its technology and reach growers in key agricultural regions. He noted that the Associates Insectary's location and operational capabilities were important factors in the agreement.

Both companies have stated their intention to contribute to a shift away from conventional pesticide use by developing and distributing biological pest control options. They aim to improve accessibility and efficiency by producing and distributing these organisms closer to end users.

Zach Slaughter of Associates Insectary highlighted the technical demands of scaling insect production and emphasized the potential of the sterile insect approach as a complementary pest control tool.

Pending regulatory approval, the KNOCKOUT SWD technology could offer growers a new method of managing pest populations in alignment with broader sustainability and food safety goals.

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