New research shows that tarantula venom could feasibly be used as an insecticide against agricultural pests. Researchers at the University of Queensland published their findings in the journal Plos One, which concluded that a protein in the venom of Australian tarantulas can also kill prey insects that consume the venom orally.
Orally active insecticidal peptide-1, or OAIP-1, is strongly insecticidal to the cotton bollworm, which attacks stored grains. It is estimated that global crop yields are reduced by 10-14% annually by such pests, meaning that this research could have a significant impact on the food production chain.
The authors suggest that this discovery could also lead to the ability to engineer insect-resistant plants or enhance the efficacy of microbes that attack insect pests.
Glenn King, one of the researchers, said: "The breakthrough discovery that spider toxins can have oral activity has implications not only for their use as bioinsecticides, but also for spider-venom peptides that are being considered for therapeutic use."
Orally active insecticidal peptide-1, or OAIP-1, is strongly insecticidal to the cotton bollworm, which attacks stored grains. It is estimated that global crop yields are reduced by 10-14% annually by such pests, meaning that this research could have a significant impact on the food production chain.
The authors suggest that this discovery could also lead to the ability to engineer insect-resistant plants or enhance the efficacy of microbes that attack insect pests.
Glenn King, one of the researchers, said: "The breakthrough discovery that spider toxins can have oral activity has implications not only for their use as bioinsecticides, but also for spider-venom peptides that are being considered for therapeutic use."
