strain) for the control of lepidopteran pests of rice, sugarcane and apple in India.
Several other indigenous strains of entomopathogenic nematode such as
Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. abbasi, S. thermophilum,
S. riobrave were also exploited for the management of field pests. The development
of wettable formulation from H. indica with an extended shelf life of 12 months is
commercially available in India (Kumar et al. 2019).
11.3 Categories of Biopesticides
Based on the classification by Environmental Protection Agency on the type of
ingredient used, biopesticides are categorized into three major classes (1) microbial,
(2) biochemical and (3) plant-incorporated protectants (Olson 2015).
Microbial Pesticides Microbial pesticides are the largest group of pest-specific,
broad-spectrum biopesticides. Microbial pesticides include use of microbes such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans as active ingredients for the management of
insect pests. They are relatively precise for their target species. Microbial
biopesticides are self-perpetuating, host-specific and environment-friendly. Among
the most widely used microorganisms against insect pests is Bt. It is used to control a
wide array of pests including lepidopterans, coleopterans and dipterans (Gill et al.
1992).
Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) They are also called as genetically
modified crops. Plant-incorporated protectants are pesticidal substances produced
by plants and the genetic material required to produce such substances are
introduced into the plants to offer resistance against pests. Pesticidal proteins
separated from the bacteria or fungi are introduced into the plant and the genetically
modified plants resist against specific pests. A typical example of this is use of Bt
protein to develop PIP thorough the process of genetic engineering. Bt toxin is hostspecific, achieves quick mortality of the pests usually within 48 h (Siegel 2001). No
harmful effect on the ecosystem and it does not harm vertebrates (Lacey et al. 2015).
Biochemical Pesticides They are also known as herbal pesticides (Pal et al. 2013).
They are naturally occurring substances and secondary metabolites that control or
inactivate pests. Most widely used biochemical pesticide is from neem and neembased formulations such as neem oil, neem seed kernel extract, neem extract
concentrates from bark and leaves which are available in India. Also, essential oils
from canola, tea tree, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates) and pyrethrin from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium are used as biochemical pesticides. Diatomaceous
earth (DE) derived from fossilized sediments of numerous marine and freshwater
siliceous organisms especially diatoms and other algae are used against an array of
field pests. It has high absorption potential cause abrasion and desiccation in insect
cuticle and finally results in death of insect.
11 Biopesticides for Pest Management
241
Several other indigenous strains of entomopathogenic nematode such as
Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae, S. abbasi, S. thermophilum,
S. riobrave were also exploited for the management of field pests. The development
of wettable formulation from H. indica with an extended shelf life of 12 months is
commercially available in India (Kumar et al. 2019).
11.3 Categories of Biopesticides
Based on the classification by Environmental Protection Agency on the type of
ingredient used, biopesticides are categorized into three major classes (1) microbial,
(2) biochemical and (3) plant-incorporated protectants (Olson 2015).
Microbial Pesticides Microbial pesticides are the largest group of pest-specific,
broad-spectrum biopesticides. Microbial pesticides include use of microbes such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans as active ingredients for the management of
insect pests. They are relatively precise for their target species. Microbial
biopesticides are self-perpetuating, host-specific and environment-friendly. Among
the most widely used microorganisms against insect pests is Bt. It is used to control a
wide array of pests including lepidopterans, coleopterans and dipterans (Gill et al.
1992).
Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) They are also called as genetically
modified crops. Plant-incorporated protectants are pesticidal substances produced
by plants and the genetic material required to produce such substances are
introduced into the plants to offer resistance against pests. Pesticidal proteins
separated from the bacteria or fungi are introduced into the plant and the genetically
modified plants resist against specific pests. A typical example of this is use of Bt
protein to develop PIP thorough the process of genetic engineering. Bt toxin is hostspecific, achieves quick mortality of the pests usually within 48 h (Siegel 2001). No
harmful effect on the ecosystem and it does not harm vertebrates (Lacey et al. 2015).
Biochemical Pesticides They are also known as herbal pesticides (Pal et al. 2013).
They are naturally occurring substances and secondary metabolites that control or
inactivate pests. Most widely used biochemical pesticide is from neem and neembased formulations such as neem oil, neem seed kernel extract, neem extract
concentrates from bark and leaves which are available in India. Also, essential oils
from canola, tea tree, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates) and pyrethrin from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium are used as biochemical pesticides. Diatomaceous
earth (DE) derived from fossilized sediments of numerous marine and freshwater
siliceous organisms especially diatoms and other algae are used against an array of
field pests. It has high absorption potential cause abrasion and desiccation in insect
cuticle and finally results in death of insect.
11 Biopesticides for Pest Management
241