Synthetic Spider Venom Maybe the Future Bioinsecticide

Spider venom could be the bioinsecticide of the future as they have been the all time insect predators. Researchers at The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience are currently looking at the insecticidal peptides found in spider venom compounds for use in controlling insects that threaten crops.

Speaking at recent Grain Research Development Center (GRDC), grains research Updates in the southern cropping region, GRDC Manager for Commercial Farm Technologies, Paul Meibusch said, a four-year project at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, supported by the GRDC, is focused on the toxic short-chain peptides within spider venom for potential artificial reproduction.

He said, "Researchers are isolating peptides from these venoms and running them through a screening mechanism to assess their potential for replication and use in the grains industry.We believe this is an area that will continue to expand, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the products themselves are reasonably benign on the environment – they can be quite specific in which insects they control and are often safe for predators."

See the article at http://news.agropages.com/News/NewsDetail---6483.htm.