Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEGerman Federal Minister Dorothee Bär visited Fraunhofer IME in Giessen
Focus on RNAi Spray Against Colorado Potato Beetles and Sustainable Insect Management
© Fraunhofer IME | Kim Weigand
Press release March 12th, 2026
Dorothee Bär, German Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space.
Dr. Kornelia Hardes shows Minister Bär the high-security laboratory at Fraunhofer IME. Her junior research group, funded by the BMFTR, is conducting research on new active substances to combat viral infections, as well as new technologies for the sustainable and environmentally friendly control of invasive mosquitoes such as the tiger mosquito, which can transmit dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses to humans, among others.
German Federal Minister Dorothee Bär listens as doctoral student Leonie Graser explains RNAi biotechnology research to her.
The German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, visited the Bioresources division of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Gießen. The visit highlighted innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture, ranging from a novel RNAi spray against the Colorado potato beetle to the use of insect larvae as a protein source and sustainable fertilizers.
At the outset of the visit, the minister received insights into Fraunhofer IME’s high-security laboratory from Dr. Kornelia Hardes, head of a junior research group funded by the BMFTR with over three million euros. The group investigates new active substances against viral infections. Hardes is also researching new technologies for the sustainable and eco-friendly control of invasive mosquitoes such as Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito), which can transmit dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses to humans (more info).
PhD student Leonie Graser presented what is believed to be the world’s first RNAi spray against the Colorado potato beetle: Calantha® (active ingredient: Ledprona), which gained approval in the United States in 2023. A joint study by Greenlight Biosciences, Fraunhofer IME, Bioresources division, and Justus-Liebig University (JLU) Giessen shows that the spray selectively silences a vital gene in the potato beetle through disruption of the proteasome—a significant step toward environmentally friendly crop protection (more info).
Prof. Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas, head of the Bioresources division at Fraunhofer IME, has been researching since 2006 how RNA interference can be harnessed for environmentally friendly control of pest and vector insects. Following the approval of the RNAi sprays developed by GreenLight Biosciences, Fraunhofer IME demonstrated and characterized the mechanism of action in collaboration with partners. This marks a new era in plant protection, as the discovery could support an RNAi spray approval pathway in Europe. German farmers may benefit from this global frontier research.
Regarding pest insects, Fraunhofer IME collaborates with local partners such as the Association of Hessisch-Pfalz Sugar Beet Growers (Verein der Hessisch-Pfälzischen Zuckerrübenanbauer e.V.), whose managing director, Dr. Christian Lang, also attended. In several joint projects, it was found that the striped glass-winged cicada (Aphrophora) from a “Red List” species has evolved into a vector of plant diseases in sugar beets, now threatening sugar beet cultivation in Germany.
Vilcinskas emphasizes that in joint third-party funded projects this cicada species has also spread to potato plants, posing a significant risk to domestic potato farmers. Therefore, JLU Giessen and Fraunhofer IME are pursuing the development of an RNAi spray against “Germany’s Next Top Pest” (more info).
In the subsequent official segment, Prof. Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas welcomed the minister and the invited guests. He explained why Giessen is considered a global leader in insect biotechnology and how the Yellow Biotechnology (bio-based solutions) opens new avenues for sustainable plant protection and resource-efficient agriculture. “Our research ranges from RNAi-based biopesticides to the use of insects as a protein source and sustainable fertilizers. We therefore make a concrete contribution to the agricultural transition,” Vilcinskas stated.
Dr. Dorothee Tegtmeier presents her work on the use of insect larvae. Her project, funded by the BMFTR, aims to use larvae as feed in aquaculture.
Start-ups based at Fraunhofer IME presented their innovative products to the minister. A particular highlight was the tasting of chili-spiced insect larvae.
Head of institute section »Bioresources« Prof. Dr. Andreas Vilcinskas and Federal Minister Dorothee Bär.
The Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, underscored the societal and economic significance of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) in Giessen during her visit to the Institute’s Bioresources division on the Giessen campus. She highlighted that the work at Fraunhofer IME contributes not only to science but also has substantial potential for Germany’s agricultural and food industries by reducing losses caused by pests and diseases. “What we’re talking about here is not peanuts: globally, up to 40 percent of harvests are lost each year to pests and diseases, totaling around 200 billion euros in value,” Bär stated.
She also stressed the role of female scientific Nachwuchs (early-career researchers): “I am particularly pleased about junior group leaders like Dr. Tegtmeier and Dr. Hardes, whom we support through programs such as BioKreativ and funding for infectious disease research groups. I have seen today that they bring exactly what we need: spirit and bold research that quickly translates into application.”
Prof. Dr. Constantin Haefner, Chair of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s Research and Transfer Board, praised the Giessen site and the new building of the Bioresources division: “Walking through this new building, one immediately senses that people are working on issues that affect us all—our food, our environment, our health. And they do so with great passion and a clear goal: to ensure that research makes an impact.”
Representatives from Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen, Vice Presidents Prof. Dr. Alexander Goesmann and Prof. Dr. Karsten Krüger, explained in their greeting remarks that, within the framework of the Federal Excellence Initiative, JLU has secured three clusters of excellence, and the University of Marburg has secured one. Together with the Technical University of Central Hessen (THM), they are submitting an excellence initiative that Fraunhofer is also involved in.
The Hessian Collaboration for Research Excellence (H_CORE) initiative is being advanced to bring the mid-Hesse universities to the next level of excellence, leveraging a historic opportunity.
Bundestag member Frederik Bouffier emphasized in his closing remarks: “Giessen and Central Hesse are a hotspot for science, and we want to expand this by uniting politics, industry, and science.”
During the subsequent tour of the Atrium, Junior Group Leader Dr. Dorothee Tegtmeier presented her work on utilizing insect larvae as feed in aquaculture while simultaneously producing high-quality, climate-friendly fertilizers. This approach promotes the efficient use of organic residuals and closes nutrient cycles. Insect-derived fertilizer presents an alternative to chemical fertilizer, whose price has risen due to geopolitical factors (more info).
Hessian start-ups based at Fraunhofer IME also showcased their innovations in agricultural and insect biotechnology to the minister. Prombyx presented sustainably produced cat and dog food derived from silkworms. SWARM-Biotactics aims to revolutionize education and outreach technologies with remote-control cyborg insects. EntoSolutions described converting industrial insect-rearing residues into biochar via pyrolysis, enabling climate-neutral concrete production.
A tasting of chili-flavored insect larvae provided a light moment: Bär quipped, “They don’t taste that bad with chili.”
Through her visit, Minister Bär highlighted Fraunhofer IME in Giessen as a key site for innovative solutions at the intersection of agriculture, environment, and health protection.