Biological Insecticide for the Gypsy Moth

Abstract

Responding to concerns over the use of chemical pesticides, the USDA Forest Service has developed narrow host-range products for the control of forest pests. Among them is Gypchek, a viral pesticide for gypsy moths, but its future availability is not assured. If the private sector will not produce a safe and useful pesticide because the market is unstable, some other approach toward developing such products and making them available is needed. A federal center may be necessary to research biopesticides, transfer technology to the private sector, and develop, register, produce, and market those products that industry will not.