BIOPESTICIDES ARE TOUGH ON PESTS, GENTLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

    LANGHORNE, Pa., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- What's new in birth control for insects?  Sex.  It may sound strange, but scientists are using natural scents called pheromones to arouse male insects. Overstimulation causes the males to become disoriented.
    "The confused males can't find the females, no mating occurs, and the next generation of pests is wiped out," says John McIntyre, Ph.D., a vice president for Ecogen Inc.  The Langhorne-based company manufactures natural pesticides that are compatible with the environment.
    Across the world, the movement to reduce pesticide use is underway. Many countries are setting stricter standards for food production and limits on chemical pesticide use.  Alternative pest control strategies are needed, spurring companies, like Ecogen into their laboratories.
    "The goal is to develop biorational products that are ecologically sound and are not harmful to humans and other living creatures," says Jim Reilly, president and CEO of Ecogen.  "Biopesticides use naturally occurring organisms to control pest populations.  Such products do not contaminate the soil or ground water, and leave no harmful residue on foods.  They are safe for consumers, friendly to the environment, and good news for growers who want to remain competitive in the global market."
    Pheromones are one example of the new breed or biowarriors, with others having names like nematodes, Bt, and biofungicides.  "This high- tech army of biorational products will lead the battle against agricultural pests into the next century," adds Reilly.
    By the year 2000, biopesticide manufacturers hope to command a significant share of the estimated $25 billion world pesticide market. This means developing safe, creative and unique ways to fight pest populations:  using weapons like fungi, bacteria and other insects.
    Biopesticides such as nematodes prey on specific insects, without harming beneficial insect populations.  It's the good guys against the bad guys.
    "Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that dine on insect larvae in the soil, killing insects even before they can attack the plants," explains McIntyre.
    One battle exists between nematodes and Japanese beetles, the same notorious insect predators that may be eating the grass, trees and bushes in your backyard year after year.  Nematodes are a safe and effective way to destroy white grubs, the larval stage of Japanese beetles, that live in the soil.  After feasting on a grub, the nematode reproduces, sending out a new army of hungry predators.
    Hyperparisitic fungi are another high-tech killer.  These fungi are designed to destroy undesirable fungi that infect plant leaves and reduce crop productivity.
    "Yeast formulations are also an effective, earth-friendly tool for crop protection," says McIntyre.  "We can keep fruits fresh during transport from the packing house to the grocery store by spraying them with a special form of yeast.
    The granddaddy of biopesticides is Bt, short for Bacillus thuringiensis.  Bt is a common bacterium found in soil.  The agriculture industry has relied on Bt's ability to destroy leaf-eating insects for more than 25 years.
    Bt naturally produces crystallized proteins with potent insecticidal activity.  When a susceptible insect feeds on plant leaves sprayed with these crystals, the crystals dissolve in the insect's gut.  The proteins released attack and destroy the insect's intestinal tract, causing death.
    Scientists at Ecogen have amassed a library of more than 9,000 different Bt strains.  Each strain is active only against a specific range of insects.  Fish, birds, and other insects and animals, including humans, are not affected by Bt.
    Recent advances in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology have led to a better understanding of how Bt targets its prey and destroys insect larvae.  Using genetic modification techniques, scientists can now combine the most advantageous Bt genes into one organism, producing high performance strains with specific insecticidal activity.
    "There is increasing demand for food crops grown using more natural materials and less toxic chemicals," says Harold Ricker, Ph.D., staff director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program.  Authorized by the 1990 federal Farm Bill, the National Organic Program is developing national standards for organic food production.
    "Maintaining a healthy growing environment on the farm reduces the need for pesticides," says Ricker.
    High-tech arsenals of biorational products allow farmers to use less chemical pesticides, yet achieve higher or maintain the same level, or better, crop protection.  Biorational products can be used alone to solve a specific pest control problem, or together to provide widespread protection.
    "Using combinations of nematodes, pheromones and Bt-based products, for example, farmers can knock out insect larvae in the soil and leaf-munching insects on the plants," says Reilly.
    Home gardeners can also benefit from environmentally compatible biopesticides.  Organic products for protecting flower and vegetable gardens and for general lawn care borrow from the technology developed for crop plants.
    Whether you farm 10,000 acres or grow tomatoes in a backyard garden, biorational products are the environmentally sound choice for growing healthier plants and protecting the Earth and its inhabitants for future generations.
    -0-                         4/22/94
    /NOTE TO EDITORS:  Earth Day is Friday, April 22, 1994/
    /CONTACT:  Kathryn Comba, 212-696-4455, ext. 206; or Jessica Benjoya, 212-696-4455, ext. 210, both of Noonan/Russo Communications/

CO: Ecogen Inc. ST: Pennsylvania IN: ENV SU:

LP-CB -- NYFNS2 -- 9037 04/22/94 07:32 EDT