BigSis

Biological Insect Control that Outperforms Chemical Insecticides

BigSis provides biological insect control solutions that can consistently outperform and replace chemical insecticides. We use robotics and artificial intelligence to transform the economics of the sterile insect technique (SIT). This proprietary platform delivers organic-compatible, non-GM solutions that have low or no regulatory hurdles. BigSis is the first to offer SIT as a grower-level commercially-priced solution and yet be fully scalable internationally and across dozens of pests.

Our first solution addresses the urgent unmet need for effective control of the invasive SWD (spotted wing drosophila) fruit fly. SWD is not well controlled by chemical insecticides and regulators are progressively limiting the chemical options available. Growers of fresh berries and cherries (1.3 million hectares worldwide) spend up to £11,000 per hectare annually just for SWD control. Trials of BigSis’ SWD solution demonstrated season-long control and up to 91% suppression of wild SWD (https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13040328). Its total addressable market is over £2 billion.