Gene Drive Projects
Select one or more options to filter by taxonomic groups.
Animalia
Arthropoda (incl. insects and spiders)
Insecta (insects)
Hemiptera (true bugs)
Kissing bug
Readiness of Technology
2b - Gene drive proposed with preliminary laboratory work fundedPublications
Intended use
Reduction in transmission of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi by this vector (to reduce occurrence of Chagas disease)
Type of system
Probably homing CRISPR
Bean bug
Readiness of Technology
3 - Preliminary laboratory work publishedPublications
Intended use
Reduction of damage to soya bean crops caused by this species
Type of system
Preliminary study only, but characterisation of 'female determiner genes' suggests gene drives may be designed to bias sex ratios or cause female infertility.
African citrus psyllid
Readiness of Technology
1 - Gene drive proposedPublications
Intended use
Reduction in transmission of citrus greening disease, and resulting harm to citrus fruit. This species acts as a vector for Candidatus Liberibacter spp. bacteria which cause the disease.
Type of system
Propose homing CRISPR
Hymenoptera (sawflies, bees, wasps and ants)
Red imported fire ant
Readiness of Technology
2a - Gene drive proposed with supporting theoretical workPublications
Intended use
Reduction of impacts on agriculture, biodiversity and infrastructure caused by this invasive species
Type of system
Homing CRISPR targeting female fertility - different variants modelled in 2025 study
Animalia
Arthropoda (incl. insects and spiders)
Insecta (insects)
Hymenoptera (sawflies, bees, wasps and ants)
Vespidae (wasps)
German wasp
Readiness of Technology
2a - Gene drive proposed with supporting theoretical workPublications
Intended use
Reduction of ecological effects of invasive populations of this species in New Zealand and elsewhere (e.g. Australia)
Type of system
Homing CRISPR
Common wasp
Readiness of Technology
2a - Gene drive proposed with supporting theoretical workPublications
Intended use
Reduction of ecological effects of invasive populations of this species in New Zealand and elsewhere (e.g. Australia)
Type of system
Homing CRISPR
Animalia
Arthropoda (incl. insects and spiders)
Insecta (insects)
Hymenoptera (sawflies, bees, wasps and ants)
Formicidae (ants)
Linepithema (incl. Argentine ant)
Argentine ant
Publications
Intended use
Control of this invasive species to reduce ecological impacts, colonisation of indoor spaces and food spoilage
Type of system
NA - proposal only
Paratrechina (incl. longhorned crazy ant)
Longhorned crazy ant
Publications
Intended use
Reduction of colonisation of indoor spaces by this species
Vespidae (wasps)
Polistes (paper wasps)
European paper wasp
Readiness of Technology
2a - Gene drive proposed with supporting theoretical workPublications
Intended use
Presumably to reduce biodiversity impacts of invasive populations of this species, however the authors do not make this explicit.
Type of system
Homing CRISPR
Vespa (hornets)
Asian hornet
Readiness of Technology
2a - Gene drive proposed with supporting theoretical workPublications
Intended use
Reduce impacts from predation of commercial honey bees (and potentially wild pollinators)
Type of system
Homing CRISPR