Genetically engineered plants , which produce the harmful pheromones of moths in order to thwart their desire to mate , could replace pesticides harmful to bees and other beneficial insects . A plant that can produce the sex organs of moths has already been genetically engineered , and new pheromones , such as those of mealybugs that affect food crops , are in development . Pheromones produced through chemical synthesis are already used to protect high - value crops including tomatoes and berries , but this process is expensive . The new research uses plants as bio - factories , powered by the sun , and is seen as a feasible alternative .
Genetically engineered plants, which produce the sex pheromones of insects in order to thwart their attempts to mate, could replace pesticides harmful to bees and other beneficial insects. A plant that can produce the sex pheromones of moths has already been genetically engineered, and new pheromones, such as those of mealybugs that threaten citrus crops, are in development. Pheromones produced through chemical synthesis are already used to protect high-value crops including tomatoes and berries, but this process is expensive. The new research uses plants as bio-factories, powered by the sun, and is seen as a feasible alternative.