Abstract
Microbial biopesticides include several microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, baculoviruses, and nematode-associated bacteria acting against invertebrate pests in agro-ecosystems. The biopesticide sector is experiencing a significant growth and many discoveries are being developed into new biopesticidal products that are fueling a growing global market offer. Following a few decades of successful use of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and a few other microbial species, recent academic and industrial efforts have led to the discovery of new microbial species and strains, and of their specific toxins and virulence factors. Many of these have, therefore, been developed into commercial products. Bacterial entomopathogens include several Bacillaceae, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Burkholderia, Chromobacterium, Streptomyces, and Saccharopolyspora species, while fungi comprise different strains of Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticillium, Lecanicillium, Hirsutella, Paecilomyces, and Isaria species. Baculoviruses are species-specific and refer to niche products active against chewing insects, especially Lepidopteran caterpillars. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) mainly include species in the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema associated with mutualistic symbiotic bacteria belonging to the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus. An updated representation of the current knowledge on microbial biopesticides and of the availability of active substances that can be used in integrated pest management programs in agro-ecosystems is reported here.
Highlights
Biological pesticides, or biopesticides, represents a range of bio-based substances acting against invertebrate pests with different mechanisms of action
Based on a technical definition provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they can be classified into three main classes: (i) naturally-occurring biochemicals that act through non-toxic mechanisms; (ii) microbial entomopathogens; and (iii) plant-incorporated protectants deriving from genetically engineered plants [1]
Entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species in the genera Heterorhabditis and Steinernema act as obligate parasites and because of their mutualistic symbiosis with insect pathogenic bacteria in the genera Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, respectively, possess a significant insecticidal potential [44]
Summary
Biological pesticides, or biopesticides, represents a range of bio-based substances acting against invertebrate pests with different mechanisms of action. Numerous research projects conducted in the academic and industrial context have led to the discovery, development, and market launch of several microbial biopesticides [5]. The interest in this specific field of study is internationally fostered by recently revised legislative frameworks, like the European Pesticide Regulation (EC). The present review is intended to give an updated overview of the current knowledge and of the availability of active substances, mostly bioinsecticides, that can be used for integrated pest management programs in agro-ecosystems
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