Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Scientists turn moths gay to save precious fruit crops
Digital Journal ^ | 4/13/10 | Andrew John

Posted on 04/13/2010 1:51:47 PM PDT by mgstarr

Scientists in the United Kingdom are turning moths gay to prevent them from mating, thus saving crops from their destructive larvae.

It could also prevent the overuse of pesticides, which has so far been the conventional method of killing off the larvae of the codling moth. But this has also killed more beneficial insects, as well as devaluing the crop. The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) is largely grey and has copper-striped wings. It lays its eggs on fruit trees. The yellow and black larvae – known in America as “the worm in the apple” – hatch and then burrow into ripening fruit to feast on the seeds.

The “gaying” of the moth is being carried by food scientists at the large UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. They have devised a technique whereby a male moth is coated with pheromone used by the females to attract mates. The males home in on the scented decoy only to find another male, while females remain unfertilised.

The Daily Express quotes a Sainsbury’s spokesman as saying: “Codling moths have the ability to devastate entire crops if left uncontrolled. The new technique means males are attracted to males, disrupting the breeding cycle and reducing dramatically the number of eggs able to produce baby moths. “Pheromone is a natural substance and, unlike other chemicals, is safe to use on both conventional and organic crops.”

The chairman of the conservation charity Buglife, Alan Stubbs, says codling moths use their antennae to detect microscopic amounts of pheromone released by females up to two miles (3.2 kilometres) away. “Using a technique to protect crops that does not rely on sprays, which affect other species, is the safest way to control a pest.”


TOPICS: Agriculture; Business/Economy; Food; Gardening
KEYWORDS: greenieweenies; homosexualagenda; madscientist; pesticides

1 posted on 04/13/2010 1:51:47 PM PDT by mgstarr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

Turning them gay screws the moths over!


2 posted on 04/13/2010 1:52:35 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Hypocrisy: "Animal rightists" who eat meat & pen up pets while accusing hog farmers of cruelty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

What could possibly go wrong?!


3 posted on 04/13/2010 1:52:52 PM PDT by StonyMan451
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

Meanwhile, Barney Franks tries to come up with a law which will put this stuff in the water.


4 posted on 04/13/2010 1:53:57 PM PDT by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr; Slings and Arrows
Scientists in the United Kingdom are turning moths gay to prevent them from mating, thus saving crops from their destructive larvae. It could also prevent the overuse of pesticides,

Yeah because there would be NO harmful side affects to worry about... < /sarc >

BEWARE OF THE MOTHMAN!!!

5 posted on 04/13/2010 1:54:35 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (VP Biden on Obamacare's passage: "This is a big f-ing deal". grumpygresh: "Repeal the f-ing deal")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr
whereby a male moth is coated with pheromone used by the females

That doesn't turn them queer...Sheesh! It makes them appear to be female. It's more along the lines of forcing them into cross-dressing.

6 posted on 04/13/2010 1:57:01 PM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (We were hoping for flying unicorns that crapped skittles. We got nationalized health care.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cletus.D.Yokel
That doesn't turn them queer...Sheesh! It makes them appear to be female. It's more along the lines of forcing them into cross-dressing.

Thank you. I suspected something like that but the title was so stupid I couldn't bring myself to read the story.
7 posted on 04/13/2010 1:59:36 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

They are not actually gay.

They are just being tricked.

Stupid headline.


8 posted on 04/13/2010 2:01:18 PM PDT by Persevero (Ask yourself: "What does the Left want me to do?" Then go do the opposite.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

Wow! I need some of this.
Does it work on pantry moths?


9 posted on 04/13/2010 2:02:50 PM PDT by Lorianne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

10 posted on 04/13/2010 2:03:39 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

Does this mean they ruin only cashmere sweaters?


11 posted on 04/13/2010 2:06:15 PM PDT by GSWarrior
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mgstarr

It must be homophobic to use “gay” and “fruit” in the same sentence.


12 posted on 04/13/2010 2:18:34 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (http://www.teapartyslogans.com/cgi-bin/web/index.cgi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

The Lavender Mafia in America’s newsrooms continue to play their little propaganda games.


13 posted on 04/13/2010 2:19:31 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (VP Biden on Obamacare's passage: "This is a big f-ing deal". grumpygresh: "Repeal the f-ing deal")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: KosmicKitty
Meanwhile, Barney Franks tries to come up with a law which will put this stuff in the water.

Sounds like something out of a B-movie "Attack of the Horny Moths".
14 posted on 04/14/2010 7:16:10 AM PDT by Interrogator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Lorianne
Wow! I need some of this. Does it work on pantry moths?

Why would you want to mate with a moth?

15 posted on 04/14/2010 7:21:15 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; ...
Scientists in the United Kingdom are turning moths gay
Hey, if anyone could do it...
16 posted on 04/14/2010 7:24:12 PM PDT by SunkenCiv ("Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others." -- Otto von Bismarck)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson