News Life

Bacteria, insects join forces against pesticide

Microbes in gut, rather than genetic changes, allow insects to develop chemical resistance

By Devin Powell

- More than 2 years ago

Insects and microbes have teamed up against a pesticide commonly sprayed on crops. In lab tests, swallowing a bellyful of certain bacteria protected bugs from the toxic chemical.

DETOX DIET Riptortus pedestris, a soybean pest, can acquire resistance to the common pesticide fenitrothion by nurturing protective bacteria in its gut.