by What are Biological Pesticides?
Biological pesticides, also known as biopesticides, are certain types of pesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. There are four major classes of them which includes microbial pesticides, plant-incorporated protectants, biochemical pesticides, and semiochemicals. These work differently than chemical pesticides which are synthetic materials.
Microbial Pesticides
Biological Pesticide consist of a microorganism such as a bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan, as the active ingredient. Common examples include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which controls moth and butterfly caterpillars, nematodes which attack harmful soil-borne insects, and various fungi that kill specific plant diseases. Microbial pesticides will often control targeted pest populations with minimal disturbance to other non-target organisms. They are generally used in agriculture to control weeds and insects as well as in forestry and ornamental plant production.
Plant-incorporated Protectants
Rather than applying a biochemical pesticide to a crop, a plant-incorporated protectant contains a pesticidal substance that is produced by the plant and the genetic material necessary for the plant to synthesize the substance. For example, Bt cotton or Bt corn contains a gene from Bt allowing the plant to produce a protein that is toxic to certain crop pests. Plant-incorporated protectants aim to reduce the amount of conventional pesticide applications needed. They are grown by farmers just like conventional crops.
Biochemical Pesticides
Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances that control pests by non-toxic mechanisms. This includes substances that interfere with mating, egg-laying, larvae development and metamorphosis in insects as well as substances that are toxic to plant pathogens. Some common examples include insect sex pheromones, antifeedants, allelochemicals and various plant extracts. They work against insects, mites, weeds and pathogens. Typically, they have low toxicity to non-target organisms and the environment.
Advantages of Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are another important type of biological control agent. Ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps and other predatory insects will consume various plant pests such as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and caterpillars. Introducing or enhancing local beneficial insect populations around agricultural fields and gardens provides a natural way to suppress pest numbers and reduce the need for other pest controls. Beneficial nematodes are also commercially available as biological control for soil dwelling insects and their larvae.
Advantages of Biological Pesticides
Compared to chemical pesticides, biological pesticides offer several environmental and health advantages. For one, they tend to affect only the target pest species and closely related organisms. This means they do not harm predators of the target species or other non-target organisms like chemicals would. They also often have narrower and more specific modes of action compared to broad-spectrum chemical controls. As a result, they leave less residue in the environment and break down more quickly than chemical pesticides. The narrower spectrum also reduces risks of promoting resistance in pest populations.
From a human health perspective, exposure risks are far lower than chemicals. Biological controls present no toxic risks when used properly according to label instructions. They have minimal risks of acute or chronic health issues even with repeated exposure. Some microbial and biochemical pesticides actually improve health by controlling pest crop diseases and mycotoxins that affect human consumers. Overall, the specificity of biologicals and their natural origins provide a safer alternative to toxic synthetic chemicals for users, consumers and the environment as a whole.
Drawbacks of Biological Pesticides
While they are considered low risk alternatives, they do have some downsides compared to chemicals. Effective microbial and biochemical pesticides can take longer to control target pests than fast-acting synthetics. This means more time is needed for population suppression. Their effects are also more susceptible to environmental factors like weather and habitat that influence pest and natural enemy populations. Timing and method of application requires more knowledge. Lastly, production costs for certain types of biological controls are higher than conventional chemicals, making them more expensive options upfront. However, total application costs over the long run including reduced operator risks are often lower versus chemicals.
Overall, biological pesticides are an important component of integrated pest management programs that rely less on routine chemical use through other techniques like habitat manipulation, crop rotation, and use of resistant varieties. When used appropriately within an IPM framework, they can manage pests effectively while posing minimal threats to people or the environment compared to chemical options. For these reasons, biological alternatives are gaining more widespread use on farms, in forests and landscapes globally. Continued research also seeks to overcome some limitations of current biological products. As natural controls, they represent a safer future direction for sustainable agriculture and pest management.
This article has provided an overview of the four major classes of biological pesticides microbials, plant-incorporated protectants, biochemials, and beneficial organisms. It discussed their modes of action and advantages like superior safety and minimal non-target impacts compared to chemical pesticides. Some limitations were also presented but overall biological controls are gaining popularity as natural alternatives for integrated pest management. Continued improvements aim to optimize their effectiveness against agricultural and landscape pests sustainably into the future.
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1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
