The results of the
study are no doubt
exciting for the future
of pest control, Nakasu
said: “There is a clear
and pressing need for
alternative pesticides.
Studies like ours are
very important because
they show that these
toxins
provide
an
alternative that does
not have a measurable impact on bees at
field-relevant doses in
assays that are very
sensitive.”
But it is important to
note that this is the
very first stage in bringing a new biopesticide
to the market. Nakasu
said it could still be
five to 10 years before
spider venom biopesticide becomes available
to farmers. During this
time the new biopes-
ticide will have to go
through the licensing
and registration process. Field trials will
also take place to make
sure the spider venom
57
molecule doesn’t damage the environment.