Molecular Entomology 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 179-191 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 183 environmental contamination, including water pollution and soil degradation. Synthetic pesticides often persist in the environment, leading to the accumulation of harmful residues in soil and aquatic systems, impacting biodiversity and disrupting ecosystems. In contrast, biopesticides, derived from natural sources like bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts, decompose more quickly and do not leave toxic residues, thereby reducing the long-term environmental impact (Parajuli et al., 2022). Another major environmental benefit of biopesticides is their reduced contribution to pest resistance, a growing issue with chemical pesticides. Prolonged and excessive use of synthetic chemicals often leads to the development of resistant pest populations, necessitating higher dosages and more frequent applications. Biopesticides, however, work through various mechanisms, such as disrupting pest growth, reproduction, and behavior, which makes it more difficult for pests to develop resistance. This property helps maintain the efficacy of pest control strategies over time and reduces the need for repeated applications of synthetic chemicals (Kulkarni, 2015). Moreover, the use of biopesticides in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs can lead to significant reductions in the overall use of synthetic chemicals. By incorporating natural pest control agents, farmers can reduce their reliance on conventional pesticides, which in turn lowers the risks associated with pesticide runoff, air pollution, and contamination of food crops. This reduction in chemical use also supports the preservation of beneficial organisms, such as pollinators and soil microbes, which are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems (Ndolo et al., 2019). 3.2 Target specificity and reduced non-target effects One of the key advantages of biopesticides is their target specificity, which ensures that they primarily affect only the intended pest species, unlike broad-spectrum chemical pesticides that can harm a wide range of organisms. For example, microbial biopesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) specifically target insect larvae by producing toxins that disrupt their digestive systems. This specificity minimizes the risk of harming beneficial insects, such as bees and natural predators of pests, thereby maintaining the ecological balance in agricultural ecosystems (Bateman et al., 2021). The reduced non-target effects of biopesticides also extend to other wildlife, such as birds, mammals, and aquatic organisms, which are often adversely affected by chemical pesticides. For instance, synthetic pesticides can enter water bodies through runoff, posing a threat to aquatic life and disrupting food chains. Biopesticides, on the other hand, degrade more rapidly and pose minimal risks to non-target species, making them a safer choice for pest control in environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and forests (Parajuli et al., 2022). In addition to protecting beneficial organisms and reducing environmental harm, biopesticides also contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. By selectively targeting pests and leaving non-target species unaffected, biopesticides help maintain the diversity of insects, plants, and animals within agroecosystems. This biodiversity is essential for ecological resilience and can enhance natural pest control by encouraging the presence of natural enemies of pests, further reducing the need for synthetic chemical inputs (Kopparthi, 2020). 3.3 Enhanced Sustainability of Pest Control Biopesticides play a critical role in enhancing the sustainability of pest control by providing long-term solutions that are renewable and environmentally friendly. Unlike chemical pesticides, which can degrade soil health and contribute to water pollution, biopesticides support sustainable agricultural practices by promoting soil biodiversity and fertility. Their natural origin and biodegradability reduce the risk of contaminating soil and water systems, thereby preserving the health of ecosystems over time (Parajuli et al., 2022). Additionally, biopesticides can be effective in relatively small quantities, often providing long-lasting protection against pests with fewer applications. This efficiency makes them cost-effective for farmers and reduces the overall input of external agents into the environment. As biopesticides do not accumulate in the environment or cause pest resistance as rapidly as synthetic chemicals, their use supports sustainable pest management by maintaining the long-term effectiveness of control strategies (Kulkarni, 2015).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==