November 17, 2018

spined soldier bug (Podisus maculiventris) attacking Mexican bean beetle larvae (Epilachna varivestis) (Photo Agricultural Research Service)

An article published in the journal “Science Advances” describes a research on a substance produced by spined soldier bugs – species Podisus maculiventris – that could replace some antibiotics in the treatment of certain types of infections. A team of researchers from the University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich discovered that through a mechanism so far unknown this insect produces what was called thanatin. This substance is capable of attacking bac cell walls of bacteria such as the ones of the Escherichia coli family, which includes species that are developing increasing resistance to current antibiotics.