Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biopesticides: Uses and importance in insect pest control: A review

  • Mini-review
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biopesticides are made up of plant materials that kill insects and a variety of microorganisms that kill insects, such as entomopathogenic fungi, entomopathogenic bacteria, entomopathogenic viruses, and entomopathogenic nematodes. These are used to get rid of agricultural and household insect pests. Several new methods are being developed in the biopesticide sector, and production and marketing of biopesticides are increasing significantly worldwide because of the noteworthy results in integrated pest management. Lots of Bt-genic crops, different types of entomopathogenic bacteria, entomopathogenic viruses, entomopathogenic fungi, and nematode-associated entomopathogenic bacteria are available in the market and are being used in agriculture to protect crops from insect pests and reduce insect pest populations. In the present review, we describe the role of biopesticides, including microbial and plant-derived ones, in insect pest management and the importance of their uses. An updated illustration of the present information on biopesticides and the availability of their commercial products and active substances in plants that can be very helpful in Insect pest management is reported in this review.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Figures and data are available if required.

References

  • Agrawal AA, Kearney EE, Hastings AP, Ramsey TE (2012) Attenuation of the jasmonate burst, plant defensive traits, and resistance to specialist monarch caterpillars on shaded common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). J Chem Ecol 38:893–901

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aronson AI, Shai Y (2001) Why Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal toxins are so effective: Unique features of their mode of action. FEMS Microbiol Lett 195:1–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arthurs SP, Lacey LA (2004) Field evaluation of commercial formulations of the codling moth granulosis virus: Persistence of activity and success of seasonal applications against natural infestations of codling moth in Pacific Northwest apple orchards. Biol Control 31(3):388–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arthurs SP, Lacey LA, Fritts RJ (2005) Optimizing use of codling moth granulosis virus: Effects of application rate and spraying frequency on control of codling moth larvae in Pacific Northwest apple orchards. J Econ Entomol 98(5):1459–1468

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Azizoglu U, Jouzani GS, Yilmaz N, Baz E, Ozkok D (2020) Genetically modified entomopahogenic bacteria, recent developments, benefits and impacts: A review. Sci Total Environ 734:139169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey KL, Boyetchko SM, Langle T (2010) Social and economic drivers shaping the future of bisological control: A Canadian perspective on the factors affecting the development and use ofmicrobial biopesticides. Biol Control 52:221–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbara D, Clewes E (2003) Plant pathogenic Verticillium species: How many of them are there? Mol Plant Pathol 4:297–305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bidochka MJ, Khachatourians GG (1991) Microbial and protozoan pathogens of grasshoppers and locusts as potential biocontrol agents. Biocontrol Sci Tech 1:243–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burges HD (2012) Formulation of microbial biopesticides: Beneficial microorganisms, entomopahogenic nematodes and seed treatments. Springer Science and Business Media

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlton BC (1993) Genetics of Bt insecticidal crystal proteins and strategies for the construction of improved strains. In: Duke SO, Menn JJ, Plimmer JR (eds) Pest control with enhanced environmental safety, ACS symposium series 524. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, pp 326–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandler D, Bailey A, Tatchell GM, Davidson G, Greaves J, Grant WP (2011) The development, regulation and use of biopesticides for integrated pest management. Philos Trans R Soc B 386:2–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Yan F, Chai Y, Liu H, Kolter R, Losick R, Guo JH (2013) Biocontrol of tomato with disease by Bacillus subtilis isolates from natural environment depends on conserved genes mediating biofilm formation. Environ Microbiol 15:848–864

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng XL, Liu CJ, Yao JW (2010) The current status, development trend and strategy of the bio-pesticide industry in China. Hubei Agric Sci 49:2287–2290

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherekar MN, Pathak AP (2015) Studies on haloalkaliphilic gamma proteoentomopahogenic bacteria from hypersaline Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Chilcott CN, Kalmakoff J, Pillai JS (1983) Characterization of proteolytic activity associated with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis crystals. FEMS Microbiol Lett 18:37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cole M, Robinson GN (1972) Microbial metabolites with insecticidal properties. Appl Microbiol 24:660–662

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Copping LG, Menn JJ (2000) Biopesticides: A review of their action, applications and efficacy. Pest Manag Sci 56:651–676

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dara SK (2017) Entomopathogenic microorganisms: Modes of action and role in IPM. Agriculture and Natural Blogs, University of California, p 7

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowd PF (2002) Antiinsectan compounds derived from microorganisms. In: Koul O, Dhaliwal GS (eds) Microbial biopesticides. Taylor & Francis, London, pp 113–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Gelernter W, Schwab GE (1993) Transgenic entomopahogenic bacteria, viruses, algae and other microorganisms as Bacillus thuringiensis toxin delivery systems. In: Entwistle PF, Cory JS, Bailey MJ, Higgs S (eds) Bacillus thuringiensis, an environmental biopesticide: Theory and practice. Wiley, Chichester, pp 89–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill SS, Cowles EA, Pietrantonio PV (1992) Mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxins. Annu Rev Entomol 37:615–636

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glare T, Caradus J, Gelernter W, Jackson T, Keyhani N, Kohl J, Marrone P, Morin L, Stewart A (2012) Have biopesticides come of age? Trends Biotechnol 30:250–258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg LH, Margalit J (1977) A entomopahogenic bacterial spore demonstrating rapid larvicidal activity against Anopheles sergentii, Uranotaeniaunguiculata, Culexunivittatus, Aedesaegypti and Culexpipiens. Mosq News 37:355–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PK (2006) Status of biopesticides-Indian scene. Toxicol Int 13:65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalra A, Khanuja SPS (2007) Research and development priorities for biopesticides and biofertilizer product for sustainable agriculture in India. In: Business potential for agriculture biotechnology. Asian Productivity Organization, pp 96–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandpal V (2014) Biopesticides. Int J Environ Res Dev 4(2):191–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaya HK, Vega FE (2012) Scope and basic principles of insect pathology. In: Vega F, Kaya H (eds) Insect pathology, 2nd edn. Academic Press, London, UK, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Khachatourians GG (2009) Insecticides, microbials. Appl Microbiol 95–109

  • Kubo I (2006) New concept to search for alternate insect control agents from plants. In: Rai M, Carpinella M (eds) Naturally occurring bioactive compounds 3. Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherland, pp 61–80

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Ramlal A, Mallick D, Mishra V (2021) An overview of some biopesticides and their importance in plant protection for commercial acceptance. Plants 10:1185. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061185

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar S, Singh A (2014) Biopesticides for integrated crop management: environmental and regulatory aspects. J Fertil Pestic 5:121

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacey LA, Frutos R, Kaya HK, Vail P (2001) Insect pathogens as biological control agents: Do they have a future? Biol Control 21:230–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leahy J, Mendelsohn M, Kough J, Jones R, Berckes N (2014) Biopesticide oversight and registration at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In: Coats (ed) Biopesticides: State of the art and future opportunities, ACS symposium series. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis LC (2002) Protozoan control of pests. In: Pimental D (ed) Encyclopedia of pest management. Taylor & Francis, New York, pp 673–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Litwin A, Nowak M, Różalska S (2020) Entomopahogenic fungi: Unconventional applications. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 19(1):23–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miranpuri GS, Khachatourians GG (1995) Entomopathogenicity of Beauveriabassiana toward flea beetles, Phyllotretacruciferae Goeze (Col., Chrysomelidae). J Appl Ento 119:167–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Musser FR, Nyrop JP, Shelton AM (2006) Integrating biological and chemical controls in decision making: European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) control in sweet corn as an example. J Econ Entomol 99:1538–1549

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muthee JK, Gakuya DW, Mbaria JM, Kareru PG, Mulei CM, Njonge FK (2011) Ethnobotanical study of anthelmintic and other medicinal plants traditionally used in Laitoktok district of Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 135:15–21

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nanyingi MO, Mbaria JM, Lanyasunya AI, Wagate CG, Karos KB, Kaburia HF, Munenge RW, Wo Ogara (2008) Ethnopharmacological survey of Samburu district Keneya. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 4(1):1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ndakidemi B, Mtei K, Ndakidemi PA (2016) Impacts of synthetic and botanical pesticides on beneficial insects. Agric Sci 7:364–372

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nefzi A, Abdallah BAR, Jahnoun KH, Saidiana-Medimagh S, Haouala K, Danmi-Remadi M (2016) Antifungal activity of aqueous and organic extracts from Withaniasomnifera L. against Fusarium oxysporum F sp. Radieis-lycopersia. J Microb Biochem Technol 8:144–150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oerke EC, Dehne HW, Schoenbeck M, Weber FA (1994) Crop production and crop protection: estimated losses in major and cash crops. Elsevier Science Publishers B.V, Amsterdam the Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak A, Sardar A, Kadam V, Rekadwad B, Karuppayil SM (2012) Efficacy of some medicinal plants against human dental pathogens

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak AP, Rathod MG, Devarshe AM, Hundekar MR, Tengse SA, Kamble GT (2021) Entomopathogenic microorganism as biopesticides: A review. Front Life Sci 3:95–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak DV, Kumar M (2016) Microbial inoculants as biofertilizers and biopesticides. In: Singh DP et al (eds) Microbial inoculants in sustainable agricultural productivity. Springer, New Delhi, pp 197–209

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak DV, Kumar M, Sharma SK, Kumar N, Sharma PK (2007a) Crop improvement and root rot suppression by seed bacterization in chickpea. Archiv Agron Soil Sci 53(3):287–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak DV, Verma NK, Kumar M (2007b) Evaluation of phosphate solubilizing entomopahogenic bacteria in chickpea using rockphosphate or diammonium phosphate as P source. Natnl J Pl Improv 9(1):14–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak DV, Yadav R, Kumar M (2017) Microbial pesticides: Development, Prospects and popularization in India. Plant-microbe interactions in agro-ecological perspectives. Springer, pp 455–471. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6593-4_18

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pekrul S, Grula EA (1979) Mode of infection of the corn earworm (Heliothiszea) by Beauveriabassiana as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. J Invertebr Pathol 34:238–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pineda S, Alatorre R, Schneider M, Martinez A (2007) Pathogenicity of two entomopahogenic fungi on Trialeurodesvaporariorum and field evaluation of a Paecilomycesfumosoroseus isolate. Southwestern Ento 32:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rikita B, Utpal D (2014) An overview of fungal and entomopahogenic bacterial biopesticides to control plant pathogens/diseases. Afr J Microbiol Res 8:1749–1762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salma M, Jogen CK (2011) A review on the use of biopesticides in insect pest management. Int J Sci Adv Technol 1:169–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Satinder KB, Verma M, Tyagi RD, Valéro JR (2006) Recent advances in downstream processing and formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis based biopesticides. Process Biochem 41:323–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senthil-Nathan S (2015) A review of biopesticides and their mode of action against insect pests. Environ Sustain 49–63

  • Sparks TC, Thompson GD, Kirst HA, Hertlein MB, Mynderse JS, Turner JR (1999). In: Hall FR, Menn JJ (eds) Biopesticides: use and delivery. Humana Press, Totowa, pp 171–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Suman G, Dikshit AK (2010) Biopesticides: An ecofriendly approach for pest control. J Biopest 3(1S):186–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Tijjani A, Bashir KA, Mohammed I, Mohammed A, Gambo A, Musa H (2016) Biopesticides for the pest control: A review. J Biopestic Agric 3:6–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Tlak Gajher I, Dar SA (2021) Plant allelochemicals as sources of insecticides. InSects 12:189. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usta C (2013) Microorganisms in biological pest control—A review (entomopahogenic bacterial toxin application and effect of environmental factors). In: Current progress in biological research. pp 287–317

    Google Scholar 

  • Vos P, Garrity G, Jones D, Krieg NR, Ludwig W, Rainey FA, Whitman WB (eds) (2011) Bergey’s manual of systematic bacteriology: Volume 3: The firmicutes. Springer Science and Business Media

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav E, Pathak DV, Sharma SK, Kumar M, Sharma PK (2007) Isolation and characterization of mutants of Pseudomonas maltophilia PM-4 altered in chitinolytic activity and antagonistic activity against root rot pathogens of clusterbean (Cyamopsistetragonoloba). Indian J Microbiol 47:64–71

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agriculture Entomology & Pest Control, College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

    Babu Saddam & Muhammad Aqib Idrees

  2. Plant Protection Division, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla 171013 (H.P), India

    Pawan Kumar

  3. Department of Biology, Deanship of Educational Services, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad Mahamood

Authors
  1. Babu Saddam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Muhammad Aqib Idrees
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pawan Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohammad Mahamood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Babu Saddam, Mohammad Aqib Idrees and Pawan Kumar; conceptualization, writing- original draft preparation. Babu Saddam and Mohammad Mahamood; review and edting. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Babu Saddam.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The authors declared that they have no known competing financial or personal relationship with each other that seem to affect the work reported in this article.

Consent of publication

N/A.

Competing interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Saddam, B., Idrees, M.A., Kumar, P. et al. Biopesticides: Uses and importance in insect pest control: A review. Int J Trop Insect Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01212-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-024-01212-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation