Bacterial Insecticides and Inert Materials

Abstract

The term “novel insecticides” is practically a vague approach, as it can be regarded as a category that includes the insecticides with a novel mode of action, but also insecticides that are novel in terms of their low mammalian toxicity but also their environmental-friendly profile. Under this context, it is difficult to identify active ingredients that are novel and separate them from the “traditional” substances, which include insecticides such as organophosphorous (OP) compounds, carbamates, and pyrethroids, since many of them, such as some pyrethroids, have low mammalian toxicity. Hence, there are certain substances that are compatible with these profile, but, in terms of their discovery and use as not new, but their use fulfills certain low-risk requirements. In this chapter, we will focus on the recent development of contact insecticides, i.e., the insecticides that cause death to insects through contact or digestion, regardless of the way that these insecticides are applied e.g., in the surfaces or directly on the grain. Although there are numerous substances that fall into the category of “novel insecticides” in postharvest applications, in the following we will refer to those which are already registered for this purpose, are close to registration or they are closely related with already registered active ingredients. These can be summarized in two broad categories: bacterial-based insecticides and inert materials. Other major categories of insecticides are covered in other chapters of this book.