Biopesticides

News and Events

In March 2022, EPA expanded and extended testing of genetically engineered mosquitoes to reduce mosquito populations. Read EPA’s statement.

On this page:

What are biopesticides?
Biopesticide registration information
Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs)
Pests and biopesticides used to treat them
Where can I find more information on biopesticides?
Information

Before a pesticide can be marketed and used in the United States, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires that EPA evaluate the proposed pesticide to assure that its use will not pose unreasonable risks of harm to human health and the environment. EPA also determines whether there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from pesticide residues in food or feed and sets tolerances, or exemptions from tolerances, for allowable residues of pesticides in food and animal feed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).

What are Biopesticides?

Biopesticides include naturally occurring substances that control pests (biochemical pesticides), microorganisms that control pests (microbial pesticides), and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material (plant-incorporated protectants) or PIPs. Read more about what constitutes a biopesticide.

Additional information on biopesticide active ingredients is available Pesticide Chemical Search. Enter an ingredient name and look under the "Regulatory Actions" tab for available information. You can also use the "Filter by Pesticide Type" link on the right side of the page to see a list of all biopesticides. From this list, you can access information about each ingredient.

View a list of biopesticide active ingredients.

Biopesticide Registration Information

The Pesticide Registration and Biopesticide Registration web pages provide links to information tools to assist applicants. Also see:

Registration Manual Chapter on Additional Considerations for Biopesticide Products.
FY2015 Work Plan for New Biopesticide Active Ingredients.Search EPA Archive
Labeling of Pesticide Products Under the National Organic Program (NOP).

An overview of biopesticide registration can also be found in Biopesticide Oversight and Registration at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from the American Chemical Society’s Symposium Series titled Biopesticides: State of the Art and Future Opportunities.

Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)

Plant-Incorporated Protectants are pesticidal substances produced by plants and the genetic material necessary for the plant to produce the substance. For example, scientists can take the gene for a specific Bt pesticidal protein, and introduce the gene into the plant's genetic material. Then the plant manufactures the pesticidal protein that controls the pest when it feeds on the plant. Both the protein and its genetic material are regulated by EPA; the plant itself is not regulated.

PIPs have been approved for a number of crops, including corn, cotton, potato, soybean, papaya, and plum. Most PIPs (e.g., Bt varieties) produce substances for insect control while others protect against plant diseases. Read more about PIPs.

Pests and Biopesticides Used to Treat Them

Interregional Project Number 4 (IR-4)

The IR-4 Project has developed a database that allows the user to search for biopesticide and organic products that control specific pests. Use the drop down menus on the IR-4 Biopesticides and Organic Support Label Database page to identify your pest, or pest/crop combination of interest. The searchable database will display products to use to treat pests. The database includes information on the efficacy of specific products, where available.

Since 1963, the IR-4 Project has been the major resource for supplying pest management tools for specialty crop growers by developing research data to support new EPA tolerances and labeled product uses. The IR-4 Biopesticide and Organic Support Program works to further the development and registration of biopesticides for use in pest management systems for specialty crops or for minor uses on major crops. Find out more about the IR-4 Project activities, workshops, and research grants.

National Product Research Online

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) has used information from EPA databases to provide a tool that can search by type of active ingredient, pest, use site, and more, providing a list of products that met the search terms. NPIC provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions. NPIC is funded by a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Search pests and products used to treat them.

USDA Agricultural Extension Agents

Agricultural extension agents can assist with identifying biopesticides that may be appropriate for managing pests. Find a local extension agent.

Where can I find more information on biopesticides?

Questions regarding biopesticides and biopesticide registration should be directed to the appropriate biopesticide Regulatory Action Leader found on the Biopesticide Contacts at EPA page or the BPPD ombudsperson by emailing BPPDquestions@epa.gov. If you have questions about conventional pesticides or antimicrobials, please contact the Ombudsman for the Registration Division or the Antimicrobial Division.

Additional information is available at:

Regulation of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms Under FIFRA, FFDCA and TSCA in the book “Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The United States and Canada” published by Springer. More information on this book.
NAFTA Revised Procedures for Joint Review of Microbials and Semiochemicals
OECD - Guidance for Registration Requirements for Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals Used for Arthropod Pest Control (PDF)
FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel meetings on biopesticides and biotechnology
Biotechnology and Emerging Technologies Seminar, November 2018