Locusts might become an endangered species following last week’s approval of
the world’s first bioinsecticide active against the insects. Tradenamed Green
Muscle, the fungal pesticide spray, made by Biological Control Products of
Durban, has been cleared for sale in South Africa. The spray contains spores of
Metarhizium anisopliae, a fungus that invades and kills locusts and
grasshoppers but which is harmless to beneficial insects. It kills 9 out of
every 10 locusts within 21 days, says David Dent of CABI Bioscience in Ascot,
Berkshire, who heads the international team which developed the spray.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Woman with Alzheimer's starts conversing again after taking psilocybin
2
You should turn off fans when it's too hot – but how hot is too hot?
3
How menopause radically changes the brain – and what happens after
4
Unapproved gene therapy for boosting longevity is set to go on sale
5
All known Homo naledi skeletons seem to be female
6
Parenting may permanently improve brain health for mums and dads
7
The lunar botanist with a plan to farm vegetables on the moon
8
How some people's brains make an extraordinary recovery from stroke
9
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
10
SpaceX's secretive plans to deliver cargo to Earth from space