Polymer conjugates of insecticidal peptides or nucleic acids and methods of use thereof

Insecticidal compounds comprising an insecticidal peptide (e.g., Juvenile hormone esterase) or nucleic acid (e.g. a baculovirus) covalently conjugated to a water soluble polymer such as polyethylene glycol are described. Methods of use thereof for controlling insects such as moths, and compositions containing the same are also described.

EXAMPLE 1 
 Tobacco Budworm Larvae The present invention was tested by administering a detectable peptide conjugated to a lipophilic polymer to tobacco budworms ( Heliothis virescens ). Administration was carried out by mealpad degradation, injection, and cuticular passage. Unconjugated protein was administered as a control. The methodology used to introduce the control and treatment orally into tobacco budworm larvae was carried out in accordance with known procedures (see, e.g., R. M. Roe, W. D. Bailey, F. Gould and G G Kennedy, Insecticide Resistance Assay (U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,039, May 9, 2000)). Detectable peptide in an aqueous solution or detectable peptide conjugated to a lipophilic group in an aqueous solution was added to a dehydrated meal pad. The synthesis of these meal pads was carried out in accordance with known techniques (see, e.g., J. Econ. Entomol., 94: 76-85 (2001)). This addition produces a completely hydrated meal pad with the test compounds evenly distributed throughout the insect meal. Then larvae are allowed to feed ad libitum on this food source in bioassay containers. Insect larvae were injected with test compounds in an aqueous solution directly into the insect hemocoel using a Hamilton repeater syringe fitted with a 50 microliter glass syringe that delivers 1 microliter of the test material in aqueous solution per repeat cycle. Any insect which bled after the injection was discarded. Insect were then allowed to feed ad libitum on standard insect diet. Test materials were topically applied in DMSO directly on the insect cuticle and the insect then allowed to feed ad libitum on standard insect diet. For all three routes of administration, substantially more of the detectable protein was observed in the budworm hemolymph when the detectable protein was conjugated to a lipophilic polymer than when it was not. The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.