ABSTRACT
Bio-pesticides are certain naturally occurring compounds derived from micro-organisms, animals and plants which are used for controlling pests. They are considered as promising agents that can substitute synthetic pesticides in integrated pest management (IPM). The synthetic chemicals can be detrimental to the environment and leave harmful residues where applied. This does not comply with the requirements of organic farming and sustainable agriculture. There are different types of bio-pesticides and among them, microbial bio-pesticides have gained immense popularity. Microbes like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, etc. can be used to prepare bio-pesticide and depending on the type of microorganism used, they have a different mode of action. While bacterial pesticides are used widely, protozoan pesticides are comparatively less in number though proved their potential in controlling a broad range of pests including caterpillar pests, grasshopper, corn earworm, armyworms, European corn borer, cabbage looper and fall webworm. Sometimes protozoan bio-pesticides are more virulent than other microbial pesticides in terms of infecting and killing the pests.
