Bacillus and Related Genera on Biocontrol of Insects and Nematodes

The microbial biopesticides are very much essential for sustainable management of insect pest and nematodes. Among the various microbial biocontrol agents deployed, bacteria are very popular among the industries and farmers. The bacillus occupies a very prominent role among the insect and nematode biocontrol agents by virtue of its array of insecticidal proteins, secreted insecticidal proteins, antibiotics, cyclic lipopeptides, bacteriocins, lytic enzymes, chitinases, etc. In the USA, 57 out of 356 active biopesticide ingredients are microbial-based biopesticide used against mites, insects, and nematodes. In this chapter, we discuss in detail the origin of bacillus-based biopesticide, their mode of action, commercially available bacillus-based biopesticides, and their role in crop protection.