ReferencesBedford, G.O. (1980) Biology, Ecology, and Control of Palm Rhinoceros Beetles. Annual Review of Entomology25, pp. 309-339.Chandler, D., Davidson, G., Grant, W.P., Greaves, J. and Tatchell, G.M. (2008) Microbial Biopesticides for Integrated Crop Management: an Assessment of Environmental and Regulatory Sustainability. Trends in Food Science & Technology19, pp. 275-283.Copping, L. G. and Menn, J. J. (2000)Review Biopesticides: a review of their action, applications and efficacy. Pest Management Science, 56, pp. 651-676.Dhaliwal, G.S., Jindal, V. and Dhawan, A.K. (2010) Insect Pest Problems and Crop Losses: Changing Trends. Indian Journal of Ecology37 (1), pp. 1-7.Ehlers, R. ed. (2011) Regulation of Biological Control Agents. 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(2005) The Oryctes virus: Its detection, identification, and implementation in biological control of the coconut palm rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 89, pp. 78-84Hurley, B.P., Slippers, B. and Wingfield, M. J. (2007) A Comparison of Control Results for the Alien Invasive Woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, in the Southern Hemisphere. Agricultural and Forest Entomology9, pp. 159-171.Lacey, L. A., Frutos, R., Kaya, H. K. and Vail, P. (2001) Insect Pathogens as Biological Control Agents: Do They Have a Future? Biological Control21(3), pp. 230-248.McCauley, L.A., Anger, W.K., Keifer, M., Langley, R., Robson, M.G. and Rohlman, D. (2006) Studying Health Outcomes in Farmworker Populations Exposed to Pesticides. Environmental Health Perspectives 114 (6), pp. 953-960.Nicholson, G.M. (2007) Fighting the Global Pest Problem: Preface to the Special Toxicon Issue on Insecticidal Toxins and their Potential for Insect Pest Control. Toxicon 49, pp. 413-422.Orosová, M., Holečková, B., Šiviková, K. and Dianovský, J. (2010) Effect of Fungicide Euparen Multi (tolylfluanid) on the Induction of Chromosomal Aberrations in Cultivated Bovine Lymphocytes. Acta Biologica Hungarica 61(4), pp. 411–422.Sharma, H.C. (2010) Global Warming and Climate Change: Impact on Arthropod Biodiversity, Pest Management, and Food Security. In: Pest management and climate change. Solan, H P, India: Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. pp. 1-11.Steinkraus, D. C. and Boys, G. O. (2005) Mass Harvesting of the Entomopathogenic Fungus, Neozygites fresenii, from Natural Field Epizootics in the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology88, pp. 212-217.University of Warwick. Entomopathogens and Biological Control (http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/research/entomopathogenicfungi/entomopathogens_and_biological_control.pdf) Accessed 04/03/2011.The aim of this website is to provide a broad overview of the use of microbial biopesticides, including their social importance, advantages, limitations and successes.ConclusionIn conclusion, microbial biopesticides are a valuable pest management tool, ideal for use in integrated pest management. Control of agricultural pests has been the focus of this review but microbial biopesticides could also be used to control human and veterinary disease insect vectors (e.g. mosquitoes that spread malaria, yellow fever and filariasis) (Nicholson, 2007). As pest resistance and consumer pressure continue to result in chemical pesticide product withdrawal, the market for microbial biopesticides will grow. Awareness of their benefits is increasing but policy makers need to review the regulation and registration process further to remove the barrier preventing their commercialisation. A strong marketing strategy needs to be devised to increase sales of microbial biopesticides, particularly as they face competition from transgenic crops and modern environmental chemical pesticides. The title microbial biopesticides may be associated by the public with negative connotations therefore it would be helpful to change the name.Pressure is being put on use of inundative agents with a relatively wide host range, longer shelf life and increased environmental persistence. This however is not wise. If the agent is too persistent the manufacturer selling it would not have repeat sales so would make little profit. Furthermore, although reduced selectivity of an agent would increase the market size, it would also increase death of non-target taxa. All in all, a meta-analysis of the long term effects and possible risks on a large area needs to be carried out so that the assumption that microbial biopesticides are sustainable is fully justified.KEY POINTS