We all know that chemical pesticides are bad for our environment and ecosystem; they leach harmful chemicals into the aquifers – damaging water resources*, they damage non-target species crucial to our ecosystem**, and linger in the soil for sometimes years – affecting food sources for other wildlife. ***
So how can growers ensure they’re crops won’t be destroyed by the dreaded aphid without harming the environment?
As it turns out, to find the best solution to the pest problem, one has to look no further than nature itself
Parasitic wasps, greenfly and the two-spot ladybird**** have all proven to be effective at fighting off nuisance bugs and encouraging a healthy harvest.
However, according to the BBC*****, aphids have started to evolve a resistance to the parasitic wasps used by some growers as pest control. Entomologist Professor Tom Pope of Harper Adams University states: “It happens in nature … First one side evolves resistance, but then the other evolves to overcome it.”
Ongoing research at the university suggests that “[diversifying] the genetic mix of wasps and other predators” is the best way to resolve any developing issues, and to allow the pest-control species to naturally evolve it’s own assail.
Click here to read the full story on BBC.co.uk
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*Low, L. (2023). Global analysis shows how pesticides leach into the environment. The University of Sydney 2023, accessed 28/11/2025
**Buglife. (2025). Buglife, accessed 28/11/2025
***rspb.org.uk. (n.d.). RSPB, accessed 28/11/2025
****RHS (2023). Biological control in the home garden, accessed 28/11/25
*****Gregory-Kumar, D. (2025). Harper Adams University scientists look at new solutions to aphid problem. BBC News 2025, accessed 28/11/2025