Canadian researcher wins grant to study bug pheromones as pesticide

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In Ottawa, Acadia University has received almost $3 million from the federal government to support research into using pheromones to manage pests that threaten forests and crops.

“It is important that we invest in research that’s going to shape the future of our planet, and also the jobs of tomorrow,” says Kings Hants MP Scott Brison. Traditional pesticides face public opposition due to health concerns and declining effectiveness. Natural solutions such as pheromones “have the potential to substantially reduce the amount of traditional and potentially harmful pesticides use here in the Annapolis Valley, in Nova Scotia, and also globally.”

The work is being led by Acadia biology professor Kirk Hillier, who says pesticides can also affect non-pest insects and damage the environment. Pheromones, however, do not rely on killing insects, but rather on modifying their behavior.