A Novel Biopesticide Formulation Technology for Major Lepidopteran Crop Pests

Biopesticides are products based on the natural diseases of insects that can be used to protect crops against pests. They are environmentally-friendly because they target only a limited group of insects and are safe to humans, livestock and beneficial insects such as pollinators. However, biopesticides have a number of shortcomings which mean that they are not commonly used.

This project aims to develop an innovative approach to improve the field-persistence, efficacy, shelf-life and cost-effectiveness of viral biopesticides against the moth caterpillars that eat crops. It will build on tried and tested Entostat technology to better protect the biopesticide whilst in storage or on the crop, whilst also improving its capacity to kill pest insects.

The opportunity exists to replace current foliar chemical insecticides in this sector with a biopesticide of equal efficacy and substantially lower environmental impact and this project will take an important step in this direction.