Uni aims to develop 'bio-pesticide'

Auckland University is aiming to genetically engineer a bacterium which has been exploited as a "bio-pesticide".

The university's in-house biological safety committee has approved the development of genetically engineered forms of the bacteria for research into how they kill insects, the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) said today.

The unusual insecticidal bacteria - known scientifically as Yersinia entomophaga - was discovered in a dead grass grub 14 years ago, and has since been shown to be able to kill butterflies and beetles two or three days after they have been infected.

AgResearch scientists who discovered the bacteria in 1996 have been working for some time to understand how they are able to overcome the defence systems of a wide range of insects, including beetles, grass grub, moths and caterpillars - the major destroyers of agricultural and horticultural crops around the world.

The state science company has envisaged the bacteria's potent insecticidal toxins offering an excellent "clean and green" pest control - perhaps delivered with seed when it is planted, or through bait which would attract only targeted species. Safety testing has identified no effect on bees.

AgResearch took out patents linked to the bacteria and in 2003 set up a joint venture, Encoate, with a local fertiliser company which developed the insecticide SpK.

- NZPA