Scientists Test Pesticides Made From Scorpion Venom
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have released findings that the venom produced by scorpions for self-defense can also protect your plants against unwanted pests, according to ScienceDaily.
The scientists have found that some toxins in scorpion venom only target insects, and it can also be treated to reduce the toxicity for other animals.
Prof. Michael Gurevitz of Tel Aviv University has isolated the genetic sequences for important neurotoxins in scorpion venom that could be used as pesticide. Photo: Flickr/Roadsidepictures
Working with the Israeli yellow scorpion to test the venom in bacteria, the scientists have found that it will harm moths, locusts and beetles with negligible impact on bees or humans.
What remains to be seen is how the scorpion venom could be incorporated into a product that is usable on plants. Based on testing, the venom has to penetrate the blood stream of an insect to take effect, which is more than a typical insecticide requires.
The use of pesticides has environmental consequences because they can be carried by stormwater into natural sources of water.
The chemicals in insecticides are designed to attack the nervous systems of insects, but they can also harm other species in the process. Pesticide use has even been tied to suicide rates in humans.
One current trend is to use natural pesticides in a process known as integrated pest management. This could be as simple as planting species that naturally repel insects, such as chrysanthemums and marigolds.
This isn’t the first time that insects have been researched for a natural alternative to a hard-to-recycle product. Last year, scientists determined that beetle juices can be used to produce antifreeze.
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Thos003
posted on February 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
These could be just as good or just as bad for you as man made alternatives. Or essentially equal to each other.
It is always nice to have a new weapon to add to the holster as pests develop immunities to pesticides.
There is some truth to this hyped up drama http://blogpestcontrol.com/2010/02/scorpion-venom-extermination – Scorpion venom in pesticides. They have indeed tested and altered plants to include scorpion toxins. Although the plant was unsuccessful because the toxin was ingested and not injected.
We also need to broach the question of what happens next and how will this ultimately effect humans.