Novel biopesticide based on a spider venom peptide shows no adverse effects on honeybees

Last edited Sat Jun 7, 2014, 08:32 AM - Edit history (1)

The general scientific consensus is that our neonicotinoid pesticides are killing the bees and, outside of bans by the European Union and Eugene, Oregon, we’re not doing much to help. Fortunately, venomous spiders have the bees’ backs.

Researchers at Newcastle University in England used the venom from the Australian funnel web spider and a protein from a snowdrop plant to create a biopesticide that is effective and, most importantly, not harmful to adult bees nor their larvae. A report on their work has just been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society


Bees were exposed to large doses of the spider venom biopesticide over a period of seven days and showed no signs of the confusion or loss of memory which are symptoms of exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides that have resulted in colony collapse. In addition, the venom-snowdrop mix is an oral pesticide, so it must be eaten rather than be absorbed through the insect’s exoskeleton like other toxins.
While the funnel web spider’s venom can be fatal to humans unless treated with anti-venom, the biopesticide is safe, not that the bees care at this point.


http://mysteriousuniverse.org/2014/06/if-we-dont-help-the-honeybees-maybe-venomous-spiders-will/



Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that commonly used pesticides are linked to decline of pollinator populations; adverse effects of three neonicotinoids on bees have led to bans on their use across the European Union. Developing insecticides that pose negligible risks to beneficial organisms such as honeybees is desirable and timely. One strategy is to use recombinant fusion proteins containing neuroactive peptides/proteins linked to a ‘carrier’ protein that confers oral toxicity. Hv1a/GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin), containing an insect-specific spider venom calcium channel blocker (?-hexatoxin-Hv1a) linked to snowdrop lectin (GNA) as a ‘carrier’,


http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/281/1787/20140619


On edit............ And by the way

FUCK YOU MONSANTO .......