A pesticide made from sugar esters is being used by beekeepers to control the varroa mite, but is not yet being marketed for controlling orchard mites or other pests. The synthetic sugar ester, sucrose octanoate, was developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher Dr. Gary Puterka, who also was one of the scientists who developed the kaolin particle film technology as a pest control. The particle film, sold by Engelhard Corporation, is widely used to control pests in pears. Sugar esters are produced by reacting sugars with fatty acids. They’re used worldwide in bakery goods, drugs, and plastics for food […]