Current status and prospects on microbial control in Japan

Historically in Japan, studies on the diseases of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, as a factor affecting the well-being of the silk industry, have dominated insect pathology. However, work by Hidaka in 1933 demonstrated the possibility of controlling the pine moth, Dendrolimus spectabilis, with the fungus Beauveria bassiana and since then, various attempts have been made to develop a method to control insect pests using insect pathogens. The cypovirus product, Matsukemin, was the first microbial control product to be registered in 1974, and inactive and live Bacillus thuringiensis products were also registered and put on the market as pesticides in 1981 and 1982, respectively. Currently, there are 25 microbial insecticides on the market that constitute slightly less than 2% of all insecticides used in Japan. Adoption of biopesticides is likely to increase in the near future due to scientific advances and several new government policies that encourage the use of alternative pest control products.