**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** MANY RECENTLY DEVELOPED GENETIC CONTROL STRATEGIES REQUIRE THE USE OF CRISPR/CAS9 TOOLS. THESE TOOLS DO NOT PERFORM WELL AT THE WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN FOR MANY PEST CONTROL APPLICATIONS. IN THIS PROJECT, WE SEEK TO DEVELOP NEW AND IMPROVED VERSIONS OF CRISPR/CAS9 TOOLS THAT WORK WELL AT MODERATE TEMPERATURES.