Biopesticides are biological and biocidal products that enable management of pests and are respectful of the environment. Biopesticides may be of microbial or chemical nature. The first consists of microorganisms (bacteria, insect pathogenic fungi, viruses, nematodes) having biocidal action against target insects. Chemical biopesticides have as active ingredient a natural substance (plant extracts, for example) that are either directly biocide or affect behavior or physiology of the target insect (pheromones for example).
Many research at the Functional and Evolutionary Entomology Unit aims to develop new bio-insecticides. These can either operate pheromones and allelochemicals (for repelling pests or attracting natural enemies for example) or contain plant extracts with insecticidal action (Jatropha curca oil for example).
Please refer to the following page to consult the list of research subjects we propose on this topic for interships
