Phaseout of the fumigant methyl bromide, restrictions on organophosphates, environmental problems with neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, pest resistance, and the exponential growth of organic agriculture has created a market for alternatives (Weston et al. 2004; Moran 2010; Quarles 2011ab; 1993a). Beneficial nematodes, Bacillus thuringiensis (BT), and a large array of fungi, viruses, and bacteria...

The growing demand for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and increased resistance to insecticides have provided great impetus to the development of alternative forms of insect-pest control. Entomopathogenic fungi are potentially the most versatile biological control agents due to their wide host range. These fungi comprise a diverse group of over 90 genera with approximately 750 species, ...

Biopesticides are an important component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for insect pest control since they more natural, environmentally friendly, safer than chemical pesticides and have relatively no or little effect on non-target organisms. They aid in improving crop health yields while lowering production costs eliminating the usage toxic chemicals. effective tools creating new...

The effectiveness of conventional malaria vector control is being threatened by the spread of insecticide resistance. One promising alternative to chemicals is the use of naturally-occurring insect-killing fungi. Numerous laboratory studies have shown that isolates of fungal pathogens such as Beauveria bassiana can infect and kill adult mosquitoes, including those resistant to chemical insectic...

The growing increase in the world population, associated with increased demand for food, has promoted use of synthetic Plant Protection Products (PPPs as pesticides) agriculture, which can raise environmental concerns. Nowadays, it is generally believed that Biopesticides (BioPPPs) may contribute to reducing undesirable effects usually pesticides. However, risk assessment required by EU Member ...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The purpose of this study was to carry out a survey and document plants used in Meru-central district by traditional healers with emphasis on those used as biopesticides. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was carried out at Igane and Gatuune sub-locations, Abothuguchi East division of Meru-Central district, Kenya. The data collection involving 23 traditional heale...

Granuloviruses are widespread pathogens of Plutella xylostella L. (diamondback moth) and potential biopesticides for control of this global insect pest. We report the complete genomes of four Plutella xylostella granulovirus isolates from China, Malaysia, and Taiwan exhibiting pairs of noncoding, homologous repeat regions with significant sequence variation but equivalent length.