Secondary Metabolites of Entomopathogens as Biotechnological Tools for the Biological Control of Agricultural Insect Pests

Abstract

In recent years, the irrational application of chemical insecticides has caused the appearance of pest insect populations that are resistant to the active principles of commercial insecticides. In addition, these chemical compounds cause significant damage to the environment and to the people who apply them. The use of secondary metabolites produced by entomopathogenic microorganisms is a viable alternative that could mitigate the damage caused by chemical insecticides. Actually, the secondary metabolites of entomopathogens microorganisms have been studied; however, there are few reports on their massive production and their direct application as biological control agents. The aim of this book chapter is to describe, in a very general way, some of the secondary metabolites produced by entomopathogenic microorganisms, their potential application as bioinsecticides as well as their mass production.