Biopesticides and biological control agents: advances, integration, and prospects for sustainable pest management

Agrifood demand has intensified due to increasing global population, resulting in widespread reliance on synthetic insecticides for pest control in both open-field and greenhouse systems. Although these insecticides have significantly contributed to agricultural productivity, their intensive and prolonged use has resulted in pest resistance, high production costs, disruption of non-target organisms, and risks to human health. Consequently, there is an urgent need for safer, cost-effective, and more environmentally sustainable pest control alternatives. In this context, biopesticides have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional synthetic insecticides, due to their lower toxicity to non-target organisms, rapid biodegradability, decreased environmental persistence, and greater compatibility with biological control agents within integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Biopesticides encompass a diverse range of products, including biochemical compounds, microbial agents, botanical formulations, and plant-incorporated protectants. Recent innovations in formulation and delivery technologies have significantly enhanced the efficacy and stability of biopesticides. For example, nano-formulated products, such as nano-encapsulated Bacillus thuringiensis , have demonstrated up to a 30–50% increase in field persistence and pest control efficacy compared to conventional formulations. This review extensively discusses biopesticide classification and relationship to biological control, modes of action, advantages, current, in front of limitations, and roles in modern agriculture. It further examines recent developments in formulation and delivery technologies, alongside regulatory, commercial, and agroecological factors influencing adoption. Finally, our review emphasizes the critical role of biopesticides in decreasing reliance on synthetic chemicals, enhancing agroecosystem resilience, and supporting the global transition toward sustainable and eco-friendly plant protection systems.