But in the long term, these weeds (and perhaps the insects as well) will also become resistant to the genetically engineered fix, thereby rendering it useless and breeding us hardier weeds.

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The tiered structure also prevents erosion and provides a habitat for insects, birds and butterflies, which act as natural predators, reducing the need for pesticides.

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During that time, other biting insects such as mosquitoes, lice and bedbugs also die if they attempt to bite the treated patient.

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Plants producing their own pesticides sound like a wonderful idea, until you find - as the scientists have - that beneficial insects, like lacewings and ladybirds, are also affected.

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Hotter summers could result in more insects and parasites that prey on the caribou, which could then also reduce the annual caribou harvest by local indigenous peoples.

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They added that the locations were also favoured by insects, which were an important food source for amphibians and reptiles.

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It was also a bad year for insects, with knock-on impacts for fruit and crops which they pollinate.

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Dr Gatehouse added that the insects were also locked in a battle to overcome any defence mechanisms used by the crop, and the team would also attempt to find a way to counter this.

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