Abstract
Arthropod pests and disease vectors are important limiting factors in the production of food crops and livestock, and thus hinder development in Africa and other tropical countries. The control of these arthropod pests and disease vectors has been relying on the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. This practice is not sustainable, and endangers biological diversity and environmental quality. Biological control using entomopathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, nematodes or protozoa) is one of the alternatives in reversing agriculture's hazardous dependence on synthetic pesticides and establishing a more environmentally friendly paradigm. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has been conducting research in development of entomopathogens against crop insect pests and disease vectors. The paper gives an account of some of the research activities undertaken at the centre.
