Maryland Heights firm finds new way to create sterile flies

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Maryland Heights firm finds a new way to create sterile flies. They work as pest control.

Sam Oaks-Leaf | Post-Dispatch
Aug 17, 2026
Aug 17, 2026
0

Maryland Heights company alters pest insect genes to protect crops — A Colorado potato beetle is photographed Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at Agragene鈥檚 Maryland Heights headquarters. Agragene rears the troublesome insects in order to conduct genetic experiments. The company develops genetic methods to control pests to help foster the success of crops.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch

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Sam Oaks-Leaf | Post-Dispatch

MARYLAND HEIGHTS 鈥� Farmers could soon opt to give up chemical insecticides in favor of using genetically modified insects as pest control, if a biotech startup here gains regulatory approval for its new way of sterilizing flies.聽

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