What are biopesticides?
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Biopesticides are an eco-friendly type of pesticides that consist of or are created from natural materials (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria, and certain minerals).
There are 3 major categories of biopesticides:
- The Biochemical (e.g. Capsaicin, Pyrethrum)
- The Microbial: They primarily consist of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, as well as their metabolic products. E.g. Bacillus thuringiensis
- Plant-Incorporated-Protectants (PIPs)
One of the greatest advantages of biopesticides is the precision of their action, leaving the non-targeted organisms unharmed.
It is an efficient method of plant protection that is used as part of an Integrated Pest Management program.
Not all biopesticides are approved for organic agriculture.