Biopesticides: Types, Examples, Advantages, Limits and How to Use Them in India

Biopesticides are pesticides made from natural materials: living microbes such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Trichoderma and Beauveria, plant-based compounds such as neem, and natural chemicals such as pheromones. EPA groups them into three classes: biochemical, microbial and plant-incorporated protectants. They are usually less toxic and more specific than chemicals, but slower, shorter-lived and best used within IPM.

What are biopesticides?

EPA defines biopesticides as certain types of pesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria and certain minerals. Even canola oil and baking soda have pesticidal uses and count as biopesticides. A review by Chandler and colleagues describes a biopesticide as a mass-produced agent manufactured from a living micro-organism or a natural product, sold for plant pest control, and notes there is no formally agreed definition.

The key difference from conventional pesticides is the source and the mode of action. Conventional pesticides are generally synthetic materials that directly kill or inactivate the pest. Biopesticides often work by non-toxic mechanisms: infecting the pest, upsetting its gut, confusing its mating or making the plant harder to attack.

What are the types of biopesticides?

EPA recognises three classes. The Indian literature uses a slightly different grouping, shown in the second column.

So what are the five types of pesticides people search for? Commonly the list is insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides and nematicides. The biopesticide equivalents are bioinsecticides, biofungicides, bioherbicides and bionematicides.

What are examples of biopesticides?

The table combines the examples in Chandler's review with the Indian review. Targets show what each is commonly used for.

Which plants are used as biopesticides?

Neem is by far the most common botanical biopesticide in India, and neem-based products lead that category according to the 2020 Indian review. Neem use rose from 83 tonnes in 1994-95 to 686 tonnes in 1999-2000. The active component azadirachtin is used against sucking and chewing insects. Other plant extracts are used as lures or as fungal disease protectants (the Reynoutria extract above). For home use, our guide to neem oil dilution and when not to use it covers the safe way.

How do biopesticides work?

• Gut poisoning (Bt): the larva eats the protein, which binds to a receptor in its gut, so it starves.
• Infection (Beauveria, Metarhizium, NPV): spores or virus particles infect the insect body and multiply. Chandler notes microbial agents can reproduce near the pest, giving some self-perpetuating control.
• Competition and parasitism (Trichoderma, Pseudomonas): the biocontrol microbe occupies the root zone and suppresses disease fungi.
• Behaviour control (pheromones): confuses mating or lures pests to traps. Pheromone mating disruption covers over 660,000 ha worldwide (Chandler).
• Antifeedant and growth regulation (neem): reduces feeding and disrupts development.

Which biopesticide should you use for which problem?

Always confirm the crop, dose and pest on the product page and label. This table maps the organism to the problem, with matching Katyayani products on katyayaniorganics.com.

For the wider range, browse the bio-pesticides collection and the organic pest control collection. For gardeners, Trichoderma and Beauveria for gardeners and organic pest control for home gardens give home-scale steps.

What are the advantages of biopesticides?

• Usually less toxic than conventional pesticides (EPA).
• Specific: they generally affect only the target pest and closely related organisms, unlike broad-spectrum chemicals that can affect birds, insects and mammals (EPA).
• Small quantities and quick breakdown, giving lower exposure and fewer pollution problems (EPA).
• Fit into IPM: EPA says that as part of IPM programs, biopesticides can greatly reduce the use of conventional pesticides while yields remain high.
• Faster, cheaper registration: EPA says new biopesticides are often registered in under a year versus an average of more than three years for conventional pesticides.
• Self-perpetuating control: some microbial agents multiply near the pest (Chandler).
• Use existing spray equipment and can suit local-scale production (Chandler).

What are the disadvantages and limits of biopesticides?

Are biopesticides regulated in India, and how many are registered?

Yes. Biopesticides are governed by the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971, and registered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), under Sections 9 and 9(B), according to the 2020 Indian review. Efficacy data come from ICAR, state agricultural universities, CSIR or ICMR institutes, and shelf-life claims need data from two agro-climatic locations.

Government support has built up over decades: ICAR's all-India project on biological control (1977), the DBT biocontrol network (1989), the national Organic Farming Policy of 2005 that lists biopesticides as certified inputs, and schemes such as PKVY. NABARD has offered a 25% back-ended subsidy, capped at Rs 40 lakh, for biopesticide units. If you work towards certification, see NPOP vs PGS and check whether each product is allowed by your certifier. For the Natural Farming Mission context, see natural farming mission subsidy.

You may also see an older estimate that biopesticides make up only about 4.2% of India's pesticide market, and Chandler put the global share at about 2.5%. Treat both as dated. For the newest industry view, AgroLatam estimates biologicals at about $7 billion growing 10 to 15% a year against about $60 billion for conventional chemicals growing about 2% (AgroLatam, Sep 2026); see our ranking of the top agrochemical companies.

How should you use biopesticides in the field?

1. Scout first. Biologicals work best when applied early, before pest numbers explode. Learn thresholds with our guide on chana pod borer and mustard aphid ETL and IPM control.
2. Choose the right organism for the pest (see the table above).
3. Check the label: registration number, strain name, count (CFU or spores per gram or ml), batch, manufacturing and expiry dates. These are the markers of a real product.
4. Store cool and dry, away from sunlight, and use within the date; viability falls with heat (shelf life is the sector's major concern).
5. Apply in the cooler part of the day so heat and UV do not kill the microbe. This is standard extension advice; follow the product label.
6. Do not mix blindly with chemical fungicides or bactericides, because they can kill the microbe. Ask the supplier about compatibility; do not assume.
7. Combine with good practice: crop rotation, sanitation, resistant varieties and pheromone traps. See crop rotation examples and plan.
8. Be patient. Expect slower results than a chemical knockdown, and re-apply as the label says.

For comparing where each approach wins, read our post on bio vs chemical inputs.

Biopesticides vs chemical pesticides vs biofertilisers: what is the difference?

Trichoderma and Pseudomonas sit on the line between the two: they are biocontrol agents, but they also support root health. For biofertiliser timing, see our biofertilizer guide for chana.

Conclusion

Biopesticides are a real and growing part of crop protection, not a replacement for chemistry or for good farming. Pick the organism that fits the pest, buy a product with a clear registration, strain and count, store it cool, apply early and preventively, and build it into an IPM routine with rotation and scouting. Expect slower action than a chemical, but also lower toxicity, fewer residues and a better fit for organic and residue-sensitive markets.