What are microbial biopesticides? Microbial biopesticides are a type of biological control. Biological control is defined as the use of natural enemies (i.e. predators, parasitoids, pathogens and competing species) to reduce a pest population (Harper, 2006). Microbial biopesticides use microorganisms (i.e. bacteria, fungi, viruses and nematodes) that are naturally pathogenic to specific crop pest insects. Entomopathogens are natural (i.e. not synthetic) and in nature they cause natural epizootics which provide the valuable ecosystem service of controlling insect numbers and preventing pest outbreaks. Scientists have developed ways and are continuing to search for new ways to exploit this antagonistic relationship as a tool for pest management. In 2003, biological control agents accounted for 1.72% of total usage for plant protection products, of which 41% of spending was on microbial biopesticides (Harper, 2006). There are three approaches used for application of microbial control agents (MCAs). CHEMICAL PESTICIDES CAN NO LONGER BE RELIED UPON. In the past farmers have relied heavily on the use of pesticides but pressure is now being put on the use of non-chemical alternatives. Many chemical pesticides have been withdrawn from the market after government reviews due to concern over their... 1. Effects on human health. Organophosphates for example cause numerous minor illnesses (e.g. vomiting, headaches and abdominal pain) as well as more serious illnesses (e.g. cancer (namely Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Leukemia), neurological dysfunction, miscarriages and reduced birth weight) (McCauley et al, 2006). Farmers and their children are at highest risk. 2. Short period of effectiveness due to pest populations evolving natural resistance. 3. Environmental impact. Widespread spraying of chemicals causes considerable pollution which can kill predatory birds and fish via bioaccumulation along the food chain. The organochlorine insecticide DDT for example, has lead to the dramatic decline in peregrine falcon and bald eagle populations because the chemical causes thinning of the egg shell which prevents successful hatching. 4. Effect on non-target species.  The broad activity of pesticides can kill natural enemies which control minor pests therefore secondary pest outbreaks are common. 5. Contamination of ground water 6. Ability to reduce biodiversity INSECT PESTS CAUSE DRAMATIC LOSSES IN CROP YIELDS. Over 10, 000 species of insects are crop pests, however only 10% are major pests (Dhaliwal et al, 2010). These pests cause a massive constraint on crop production. It is estimated that almost 14% of global yield for the eight major food and cash crops is destroyed each year by insects (Table 1) (Dhaliwal et al, 2010). These losses occur despite the current pest control strategies, including pesticide application and biological control. Improving pest management is therefore key to improving yields. Furthermore, global warming is predicted to exacerbate the damage caused by insects (Sharma, 2010). Pest outbreaks for example are likely to be more frequent as warmer temperatures allow insects to expand their range and produce more generations in a year.    PEST CONTROL IS VITAL IN THE FIGHT TO FEED THE WORLD! GLOBALLY, WE NEED TO PRODUCE MORE FOOD. Future food security is becoming an increasing concern. Headlines in the news are at present highlighting this issue as we witness food-related riots in the Third World. Soaring food prices (Figure 1) for even staple foods like rice have caused social unrest in countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Mozambique and Indonesia. A report issued in December 2010 by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified 29 counties in crisis that require external assistance for food security. The FAO also reported that in 2010 just under a billion people worldwide were undernourished (Figure 2). Street Beggars in Ethiopia THE SITUATION IS GOING TO GET WORSE. Concern about a global food crisis is based on the simple maths that by 2050 global food production must increase by at least 70% to feed a global population expected to rise from 6.2 billion (in 2010) to 9.2 billion, according to the US Census Bureau (FAO, 2009). Meeting this increase poses a huge challenge. A challenge that will be made harder to overcome by the impact climate change is predicted to have on agriculture and the implications of other factors including water shortage, land degradation, crop disease, invasive species and pest damage. MICROBIAL BIOPESTICIDES can form part of the solution as they offer effective pest control with no harmful environmental effects. Figure 1 FAO Food Price Indices for March 2011 (FAO, 2011) Figure 2 FAO Hunger Map 2010: Prevalence of undernourishment in developing countries (FAO, 2010)