Nano-bio-ecology. Mighty mites to our rescue

Omnivorous bacteria are abundant throughout our environment either naturally, such as those inside us, or synthesized in laboratories to perform specific tasks.

Scientists at Edinburgh University have now perfected a method by which microbes can be used to extract vital minerals such as Lithium, Cobalt and the Rare Earth groups from castaway electronic equipment, batteries, turbines and aviation equipment. The quantities presently recovered by laboratory experiment are infinitesimal but the scientists involved believe that industrial application is feasible. This would be an important step to safeguard future replenishments because global resources needed for the new non-fossil era are being rapidly depleted by a continually expanding and demanding populace.

On the horticultural front, carnivorous spiders of the Phytoseiulus Persimilis species have been trained by researchers at a secretive and controversial “Porton Down” type scientific establishment in the Beit She`an Valley of Northern Israel (presently targeted by Hezbollah rockets) to attack, in almost military formation, the smaller red/yellow spider (Tetranychus Urticae) which has been the curse of horticulturalists for decades. The introduction of this arachnoid militia to enclosed environments such as greenhouses swiftly protects berry and fruit crops from devastation by noxious pests. The predators are now being distributed globally by using packages similar to salt shakers or seed distributors. One gram contains nearly one hundred thousand Persimilis and presently costs around €750.

A third new development for a green pest control era is by using the trick of stickiness. A glue-like liquid produced from olive and other edible oils is sprayed on growing fruit and vegetables. This traps small insects with insatiable appetites while leaving larger animals such as bees, wasps and flies unharmed. Unlike toxic pesticides which can inspire resistance in the intended victim species, this biological treatment is unlikely to result in an increase in size of the target pest so that it is enabled to struggle away from its entrapment.

The use of chemical pesticides in vast quantities has become a staple feature of (and threat to) horticulture during the last century. As new products are developed so does the resistance of pests increase. This leads to the introduction of stronger and more dangerous pesticides which should be applied by farmers only in the early growing stage so that evaporation of toxicity may be achieved by harvest-time. However, the temptation is there for the chance of profit to be escalated by application of pesticides until the plants are in their later stages of production.

This danger of poisoning in humans, their pets and farm animals was partly resolved some years ago by the introduction of regulations by the EU but these were often ignored in practice. Furthermore, an intention to extend such regulation to the export of prohibited pesticides and fertilizers was frustrated this year by heavy lobbying on the part of Big Pharma and international farming corporations. The result has been that crops worldwide and their producers have been infected. This is followed by a boomerang effect whereby exports of foodstuffs back to the EU have resulted in waves of serious infection for Europeans.

The glimmer of hope for a green future for new generations of humanity is only that; a glimmer which may be easily extinguished by the voracious greed of behemoth corporations whose capitalization often exceeds that of the GDP of smaller client nations.

Our friends - the mighty mites and benevolent bacteria – cannot rescue us without our own earnest efforts to defeat the continuing wealth driven greed of agro-oligarchs and malevolent mining corporations.

Roberto Cavaleiro Tomar 28 August 2024