Sustainable pest control is urgently needed to address two major global agricultural challenges, such as Varroa destructormites, which devastate honeybee colonies, and locusts, which cause widespread crop damage. Current chemical treatments for both pests are increasingly limited by environmental risks and the development of resistance. Venom-derived peptides from predatory arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, offer a promising alternative due to their high potency, selectivity, and biodegradability.
In this study, we explored the potential of arachnid venom peptides as eco-friendly biopesticides for controlling Varroamites and locusts. A total of 50 spider and scorpion venoms were screened for topical acaricidal activity against V. destructor, with 13 inducing 100% mortality within 2 hours. Two novel peptides, Ht1a and Mg1a, isolated from Hickmania troglodytes and Macrothele gigas, respectively, were effective against Varroa mites while being non-toxic to honeybees.
In parallel, 173 arachnid venoms were screened against the locust Valanga irregularis, resulting in 45 venoms showing >50% paralysis within 1 hour post-injection and 11 demonstrating oral activity. Fractionation of the most potent venoms yielded 456 fractions, leading to the identification of six novel peptides with strong insecticidal activity.
These findings demonstrate the potential of arachnid venom peptides as safe and sustainable bioinsecticides for both apiculture and crop protection. Ongoing work aims to characterise these peptides further and assess their suitability for large-scale application.