A maze-like material keeps insects away from plants.
In France, meanwhile, a startup is creating sustainable pesticides from plant scents as around 80% of harmful insects are drawn to by these odours.
The team deciphers which scents are particularly attractive for different species, and replicates the molecules in the lab. These can be used for the targeted defence of specific plants or as an attractant for useful insects.
The pesticides can both be integrated into pellets and, for spraying and diffusing, into liquid formulations. Solutions for sugar beet and legumes are market-ready; those for seed potatoes (alternative protection: banana paper) or fruit are in development.
Others are masking scents secreted by female insects, while ladybird-style perfume is super-useful against aphids.
