Be(e) friendly venomous spiders! Novel biopesticides from arachnid venoms. The overall aim of this project is to improve global honeybee health by developing novel bee-friendly bioinsecticides as well as treatments against honeybee parasites such as varroa mites and small hive beetles. This project seeks to significantly improve existing insecticidal lead peptides from spider venoms to increase their oral toxicity and make them more pest-specific. Expected outcomes of this project include a pane ....Be(e) friendly venomous spiders! Novel biopesticides from arachnid venoms. The overall aim of this project is to improve global honeybee health by developing novel bee-friendly bioinsecticides as well as treatments against honeybee parasites such as varroa mites and small hive beetles. This project seeks to significantly improve existing insecticidal lead peptides from spider venoms to increase their oral toxicity and make them more pest-specific. Expected outcomes of this project include a panel of biologically degradable venom peptides that are active against selected pest and parasite species and that can be economically produced in large scale. This would not only provide significant environmental, social and economical benefits on a global scale, but also boost the Australian agrochemical research sector.Read moreRead less