UTM Memorial Lectureship Series: Ep 6 – Can Insects Protect Themselves from Pesticides? скачать в хорошем качестве

UTM Memorial Lectureship Series: Ep 6 – Can Insects Protect Themselves from Pesticides?

When the pesticide DDT was first developed, it appeared to be a marvel of modern science – highly effective at eliminating dangerous pests that harmed crops. Perhaps even more importantly, though, it was used to combat mosquitoes, which serve as vectors for deadly diseases like malaria. However, an unexpected side effect of the pesticide began to affect the natural world. DDT has since largely been banned because of its devastating effects. It was one of the earliest examples of PFAS chemical compounds – the so-called “forever chemicals” that have recently come under scrutiny because of their severe impacts on human health, coupled with their tendency to persist in the environment. Understanding how exactly DDT affects living systems can help guide research on it and other compounds today. Dr. John Clark is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Animal Science and Director, Massachusetts Pesticide Analysis Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. His research focuses on resistance mechanisms of insecticides. When target organisms like mosquitoes are exposed to compounds like DDT, they tend to develop resistance over time, making the compounds less and less effective. Dr. Clark’s work has helped to explain the specific details of how mosquitoes develop this resistance. In 2024, Dr. Clark was awarded the Sterling B. Hendricks Memorial Lectureship for his work. The award was created to recognize scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the chemical science of agriculture.