Sticking with nature: bioinspired adhesives for sustainable pest control
Chemical pesticides have protected crops for decades, but their disadvantages are becoming increasingly clear. Repeated use leads to resistant pests, environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and risks to human health. In greenhouses, pesticides are often sprayed frequently, yet much of the liquid bounces off leaves or drips to the ground, reducing effectiveness and increasing contamination. This raises an important question: can crops be protected without relying on toxic chemicals?
The inspiration for this research came from nature. Carnivorous plants such as sundews use a simple glue trap in a far more elegant way. They trap insects using tiny sticky droplets on hair-like structures on their leaves. These droplets stretch, cling, and hold insects in place without toxic substances, after which the insects are digested by the plant.
This PhD research translates this natural strategy into a new approach to pest control. Instead of killing insects with chemicals, it explores soft, water-based adhesives that physically trap pests. These materials are inspired by plant secretions and are made from natural components such as sugars, organic acids, and biopolymers. The formulations can be sprayed onto leaves, where excess water evaporates and stickiness is restored.
Laboratory and greenhouse tests show that these bio-inspired adhesives can effectively trap pests such as western flower thrips without harming plants. The research also examines how humidity, formulation, and sprayability influence performance, and investigates the molecular interactions behind stickiness.By learning from nature rather than fighting it, this work demonstrates a promising path toward safer and more sustainable crop protection.