Lepidext, Inc.

The Seed Corn Industry in Hawaii Is the Largest Agricultural Industry in the State. at $151M (2016 Figures), It Represents 25% of the STATE'S Sector GDP. the ISLANDS' Tropical Climate Allows for Year-round Corn Breeding and Propagation Practices. the Constant Presence of Corn in Hawaii Supports More Than a Dozen Flights of Corn Earworm (CEW) Per Year Making Helicoverpa Zea a More Significant Problem (the Problem) Relative to Cooler Climates. Lepidext Is Developing Novel, Naturally Occurring Biopesticides to Decrease Insect Populations. LEPIDEXT'S First Biopesticide (the Solution), Insterushztm, Is a Sexually Transmitted Virus That Sterilizes Adult Moths, Suppressing Cew Infestations and Reducing Subsequent Generations. the Purpose of This Phase I STTR Project Is to Prove the Feasibility of Insterushz as a Powerful Tool to Reduce H. Zea Infestations to Below Kernel Damage Thresholds in Seed Corn Production Systems.