Biopesticides

• Biopesticides - made from natural substances in an eco-friendly and non-toxic manner.
• Advantages - less harmful, designed to affect only one pest, effective in very small quantities and decomposes quickly, proved to contribute greatly in IPM Program
• Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) - an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices
• Disadvantages - high specificity, slow speed of action, needs suitable conditions for survival
• Microbial pesticides - Composed of microscopic living organisms or toxin produced by these organisms. (Viruses, fungi, protozoa, bacteria, nematodes) Greatest strength is specificity. Less harmful to animals and humans.
• Bacillus Thuringiensis is used in Microbial pesticides and Plant-incorporated-protectants. Controls lepidopterous pests like American Bullworms in cotton and stem borers in rice. Discovered in Japan in the early 20th century and first became a commercial product in France on 1938.
• Agrobacterium radiobacter (Agrocin) is used in Microbial pesticides to treat roots and crown gall.
• Crown gall is caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens
• Plant-incorporated-protectants (PIP) - genetically modifies the plant to produce a chemical that protects the plant from pests. Pests die from eating any part of the plant.
• Botanical Pesticide - crude extraction of plant material ground to produce a dust or powder. Neem oil, Rotenone, and Tobacco Suspension are examples of Botanical Pesticide.
• Biochemical Pesticides - chemical property of the material. Natural substance to control pest by non-toxic means.
• Synthetic Attractants are an example of Biochemical Pesticides. These are lure in traps to monitor the pest population. Designed to "trap out" a pest population. Broadcasts a signal to disrupt insect mating. Attractant in a bait containing insecticide.
• Biotic Agents/Natural enemies - Uses Predators and Parasitoids
• Predators - consume pray for their development. As big or bigger than their prey. Free living
• Parasitoids - Almost the same size as hosts. Development always kills the host insect.