DDT

Key Stage 3

Meaning

DDT was a pesticide (poison) used on crops to kill aphids (which would damage the crops).

About DDT

The DDT was sprayed on crops to kill aphids.

Ladybirds would then eat the aphids and take in the same pesticide.

Birds would eat the ladybirds and the pesticide would build up in their systems.

"Birds of prey" then ate the other birds getting even more pesticide inside them.

It turned out this pesticide made the shells of the "bird of prey's" eggs very weak. This meant most of the eggs cracked and the baby birds died before hatching. The population of many "birds of prey" dropped very quickly.

DDT was banned when they discovered its harmful effects on birds of prey.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

DDT was a pesticide (poison) used on crops to kill aphids (which would damage the crops).