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CSIRO Media Release |
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21 September 1998 |
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Naturally occurring bacteria, fungi, nematodes (round-worms) and viruses are already being used as an environmentally friendly alternative to many chemical pesticides.
"The good thing about using these naturally occurring organisms is that they can control insect pests without some of the nasty secondary effects that we see with the chemicals they are replacing," says project leader, CSIRO Entomology scientist Dr Ray Akhurst.
These new bioinsecticides are among the star attractions of Manufesto '98, the nation's biggest science and industry fair which takes place in Melbourne this week from September 23-25, 1998.
The new products will provide protection for crops and pastures without damaging the environment or leaving harmful residues. This will benefit Australia's manufacturing industries, primary producers and the community as a whole. Dr Akhurst says that bioinsecticides will be cost competitive with other pesticides.
In some cases bioinsecticides will be used to supplement synthetic chemicals as part of an integrated pest management approach, in others they will replace the chemicals altogether.
"The main benefit of using these organisms is that they tend to be highly specific. They will attack and kill the target insect pest, but will not affect other insects, birds, fish, livestock, native animals or humans. They undergo extensive safety tests before they are released on the market," Dr Akhurst says.
"However it takes years of intensive and detailed research to turn insect diseases into a commercial bioinsecticide product," Dr Akhurst says.
"So far we have some already out there in the market place - based on bacteria and nematodes, but we are working on quite a few more," he says.
The CSIRO Entomology display will include:
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), bacteria that produce
crystals that dissolve in an insect's gut releasing proteins
that release toxins that kill susceptible hosts. Products based
on Bt have been on the market for quite some time now. Bt is
available in sprayable formulations and as transgenic crops to
control the cotton pests, Helicoverpa;
- Metarhizium fungus attacks insects through their cuticle
or shell, filling their bodies and killing them. It can be applied
either as baits or sprays. The fungus is being used to target
scarab grubs (in pasture, sugarcane, peanuts), termites and locusts/grasshoppers.
Two companies are producing Metarhizium in Australia,
one product is registered and two more are in the process of
being registered;
- Nematodes (tiny parasitic round worms) that can control caterpillar,
fly and beetle pests in nurseries, orchards, mushrooms and domestic
gardens. Nematodes are applied by spray, irrigation or as baits;
- Four groups of viruses are suitable for development as bioinsecticides. The major targets are budworms, bollworms (pests of cotton, tomatoes, sorghum), diamondback moth (vegetables), and mosquitoes and fruit flies. Generally viruses will be applied through spray formulations. One kind can also be delivered through transgenic plants.
Manufesto '98 will showcase more than 100 star technologies drawn from CRC's CSIRO, Universities and some small companies. The conference will focus on the challenges and opportunities facing Australian researchers and industry as they take research to the global market.
The event is sponsored by CSIRO, Business Victoria and AusIndustry (Department of Industry Science and Tourism) with the support of the Australian Industry Research Group (AIRG) and the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC).
Manufesto '98 will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre 23-25 September 1998. The exhibition will be open 24 - 25 September.
More information contact:
Dr Ray Akhurst, CSIRO, 02 6246 4123
Media are welcome to attend Manufesto '98.
More information is available on the Internet at: http://www.manufesto.csiro.au/
For a media pass please contact: Rosie Schmedding 02
6276 6520 or
0418 622 653
(Australia's largest scientific research organisation)
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