ARS | Publication request: Introduction to Microbial Control

Submitted to: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: February 23, 2007
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Citation: Kaya, H.K., Lacey, L.A. 2007. Introduction to Microbial Control. In: Field Manual of Techniques in Invertebrate Pathology: Application and Evaluation of Pathogens for Control of Insects and Other Invertebrate Pests, 2nd ed. L.A.Lacey & H.K.Kaya, eds. pp. 3-7. Springer, Dordrecht.

Technical Abstract: Many insect specific pathogens have been exploited as microbial control agents for the management of pest insects. Successes have been reported for a few insect pathogens as classical biological control agents, but they are mostly used as inundatively appled biopesticides. A number of them have been registered and/or are commercially available for use against pest species. The most widely used is Bacillus thuringiensis Although the major share of the microbial control market goes to Bt-based products, a variety of other microbial control agents (viruses, bacteria, fungi) are commercially produced. The comparison of biopesticides with conventional chemical pesticides is usually solely from the perspective of their efficacy and cost. However, taking into account environmental benefits including (1) safety for humans and other non-target organisms, (2) reduction of pesticide residues in the aquatic and terrestrial environments, (3) increased activity of most other natural enemies, and (4) increased biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, their advantages are numerous.