Biopesticides

Abstract

The introduction of DDT in 1945, followed by the use of various other synthetic chemical pesticides, has played a key role in the increase in agricultural productivity, in the protection of crops and forests, and in the control of insect vectors of human diseases. However, the unscrupulous use of chemical insecticides has led to serious problems such as development of resistance in insects, insect resurgence, and occurrence of higher levels of pesticide residues in food and other agricultural commodities, environment contamination, destruction of beneficial insects such as honeybees, pollinators, parasitoids, and predators (Table 19.1).