Question

What is bio-pesticide ? Classify the various bio-pesticides with example.

Hint:

Fact: Bio-pesticides are highly target-specific, reducing harm to beneficial insects and the environment.

Answer 1

A bio-pesticide is a type of pest control product derived from natural materials such as plants, microorganisms, or certain minerals.
Bio-pesticides control pests through biological means rather than chemical toxins and are considered eco-friendly and safer for non-target organisms.
They are classified into three main categories:
1. Microbial bio-pesticides: These contain microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa that attack specific pests.
Example: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is widely used to control caterpillars and other insect larvae.
2. Botanical bio-pesticides: These are plant-derived substances that repel or kill pests naturally.
Example: Neem-based pesticides (Azadirachtin) extracted from neem seeds are used against various insect pests.
3. Bio-control agents: These involve using natural predators or parasites to control pest populations.
Example: Trichogramma wasps are released to parasitize the eggs of crop-damaging insects.
Bio-pesticides help reduce chemical pesticide use, maintain ecological balance, and promote sustainable agriculture practices.