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Chapter 3 Biorational pest management: potentials, unintended consequences, and future concerns

  • Ipsita Samal , Tanmaya Kumar Bhoi , Deepak Kumar Mahanta , J. Komal and Satyapriya Singh
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Biorationals and Biopesticides
This chapter is in the book Biorationals and Biopesticides

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the utilization of biorational insecticides, which are crafted from natural sources such as animals, plants, microbes, and minerals, or their derivatives. This growth has been particularly pronounced in the application of neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and growth hormones in insects for pest control. Consequently, these biorational insecticides have gained a substantial market share in the global insecticide industry. The general consensus that conventional insecticides are harmful to ecosystems and human health has contributed significantly to the recent uptick in the usage of biorational insecticides. Nevertheless, the concept of replacing synthetic pesticides with biorational alternatives without thoroughly examining their potential unintended consequences may lead to misguided usage and reduce the longevity of these pest management solutions. Neglecting the potential adverse impacts of biorational products on both human health and the environment represents a prevalent bias, as evidenced by a comprehensive systematic literature review spanning the past decade. This includes but is not limited to mortality and adverse sublethal effects observed in pollinators, as well as beneficial arthropods such as parasitoids and predators. Hence, it is imperative to reassess the possible risks associated with the utilization of biorational substances in pest management initiatives, considering factors like control inefficacies, the development of resistance, alterations in dominance, and the emergence of secondary or significant pest outbreaks. Future prospects for using biorational products in pest management, as well as the inadequacies of current regulatory systems, are highlighted in this chapter.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the utilization of biorational insecticides, which are crafted from natural sources such as animals, plants, microbes, and minerals, or their derivatives. This growth has been particularly pronounced in the application of neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, and growth hormones in insects for pest control. Consequently, these biorational insecticides have gained a substantial market share in the global insecticide industry. The general consensus that conventional insecticides are harmful to ecosystems and human health has contributed significantly to the recent uptick in the usage of biorational insecticides. Nevertheless, the concept of replacing synthetic pesticides with biorational alternatives without thoroughly examining their potential unintended consequences may lead to misguided usage and reduce the longevity of these pest management solutions. Neglecting the potential adverse impacts of biorational products on both human health and the environment represents a prevalent bias, as evidenced by a comprehensive systematic literature review spanning the past decade. This includes but is not limited to mortality and adverse sublethal effects observed in pollinators, as well as beneficial arthropods such as parasitoids and predators. Hence, it is imperative to reassess the possible risks associated with the utilization of biorational substances in pest management initiatives, considering factors like control inefficacies, the development of resistance, alterations in dominance, and the emergence of secondary or significant pest outbreaks. Future prospects for using biorational products in pest management, as well as the inadequacies of current regulatory systems, are highlighted in this chapter.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of contributing authors IX
  4. Chapter 1 An introduction to biorational pest control agents 1
  5. Chapter 2 Global current scenario and future prospectus of biorationals 23
  6. Chapter 3 Biorational pest management: potentials, unintended consequences, and future concerns 47
  7. Chapter 4 Role of insect growth regulators in insect/pest control 77
  8. Chapter 5 Chemistry of sex pheromones and their role in integrated pest management 95
  9. Chapter 6 Semiochemicals and other insect communication signals for controlling insect pest 107
  10. Chapter 7 Role of phytoalexins in plant disease resistance 127
  11. Chapter 8 Microbial pesticides for plant protection 141
  12. Chapter 9 Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents 181
  13. Chapter 10 Pesticides of plant origin: botanicals 199
  14. Chapter 11 Plant essential oils: a source of eco-friendly pesticides 221
  15. Chapter 12 Plant oleoresins as source of environment-friendly pesticides 237
  16. Chapter 13 The rise of plant-based nematicides: a sustainable solution for crop protection 261
  17. Chapter 14 Biorationals: global situation and future possibilities 281
  18. Chapter 15 Microbial production of amino acids and peptides 295
  19. Chapter 16 Essential oils as biorational insecticides 335
  20. Chapter 17 Bioherbicides for integrated weed management 355
  21. Chapter 18 Dilemma hovers over the rationality of biorational insecticides: their unintended effects and consequences 373
  22. Index 401
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111204819-003

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. List of contributing authors IX
  4. Chapter 1 An introduction to biorational pest control agents 1
  5. Chapter 2 Global current scenario and future prospectus of biorationals 23
  6. Chapter 3 Biorational pest management: potentials, unintended consequences, and future concerns 47
  7. Chapter 4 Role of insect growth regulators in insect/pest control 77
  8. Chapter 5 Chemistry of sex pheromones and their role in integrated pest management 95
  9. Chapter 6 Semiochemicals and other insect communication signals for controlling insect pest 107
  10. Chapter 7 Role of phytoalexins in plant disease resistance 127
  11. Chapter 8 Microbial pesticides for plant protection 141
  12. Chapter 9 Entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents 181
  13. Chapter 10 Pesticides of plant origin: botanicals 199
  14. Chapter 11 Plant essential oils: a source of eco-friendly pesticides 221
  15. Chapter 12 Plant oleoresins as source of environment-friendly pesticides 237
  16. Chapter 13 The rise of plant-based nematicides: a sustainable solution for crop protection 261
  17. Chapter 14 Biorationals: global situation and future possibilities 281
  18. Chapter 15 Microbial production of amino acids and peptides 295
  19. Chapter 16 Essential oils as biorational insecticides 335
  20. Chapter 17 Bioherbicides for integrated weed management 355
  21. Chapter 18 Dilemma hovers over the rationality of biorational insecticides: their unintended effects and consequences 373
  22. Index 401
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