What are Microbial Insecticides?
Microbial insecticides are a new form of pesticide that work by infecting selected insect populations with bacteria, viruses, amoebas or fungi. Though this sounds potentially dangerous, many argue that it is actually quite safe, since the application of microbial insecticides is specific to the species one is trying to kill. Microbial insecticides usually have no effect on animal populations, unless diminishing a certain bug in the area interrupts the food chain. Each type usually works against only one type of insect. Bacterial microbial insecticides may be used to control certain types of caterpillars that eat crops. They will kill caterpillars of both moths and butterflies, though, and should only be used where one will not diminish a butterfly population. Normally, this preparation is sprayed directly on crops. One bacterial microbial insecticide works specifically on mosquito populations. It is considered extremely beneficial in eliminating populations that might spread the potent
