Avanex Unique Endophyte Technology: Reduced Insect Food Source at Airports

Area of Science:

• Agronomy
• Wildlife Management
• Ecology

Background:

• Bird strikes pose significant aviation hazards, causing aircraft damage and potential fatalities.
• Airport environments often feature vegetation attracting wildlife, necessitating pest control.
• Conventional insecticide use faces environmental scrutiny due to groundwater contamination risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Avanex Unique Endophyte Technology as a bird deterrent for airports.
• To explain the dual mechanism of the grass-endophyte association in reducing bird attraction.
• To offer an environmentally conscious alternative to chemical pest control at airfields.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel association between a selected Epichloë endophyte strain and a turf-type tall fescue cultivar.
• Utilizing the endophyte-grass symbiosis to modify plant-insect and plant-bird interactions.
• Evaluating the technology's effectiveness in deterring birds and reducing invertebrate populations.

Main Results:

• The endophyte-grass association creates a negative feedback loop in birds through taste aversion and postingestion effects.
• Invertebrate populations, a primary food source for many bird species, are significantly reduced.
• The technology offers a direct and indirect approach to managing bird presence at airports.

Conclusions:

• Avanex Unique Endophyte Technology provides an effective, environmentally friendly solution for bird control at airports.
• This approach minimizes reliance on harmful insecticides, addressing environmental concerns.
• The technology enhances aviation safety by reducing wildlife strike incidents.