ABSTRACT
Alarming pest infestation leading to food shortage and the corresponding food demand resulting in the indiscriminate application of synthetic pesti-cides has raised global concerns on food security and environmental safety. Phytochemical biopesticides have been used as repellents, antifeedants, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, molluscicides, and insecticides among others. Phytochemicals form an interesting group of bioactive compounds which are generally slow in action as plant protectants but safer on the environment and humans as compared to synthetic pesticides. Plant species which belong to families of Solanaceae, Labiatae, Euphorbiaceae, Astera-ceae, Meliaceae, and Fabaceae are peculiar among over 2000 plants with secondary metabolites having insecticidal properties. Currently, drawing interests are species of the Araceae family. Plant metabolites (phytochemi-cals) with most important insecticidal activities are alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, and terpenoids. This chapter underlines the unique proper-ties and prospects of phytochemical biopesticides as potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides in the control of agricultural pests.
