Which statement about microbial pesticides is true?

Which statement about microbial pesticides is true?

• A. They are synthetic chemical pesticides.
• B. They are naturally occurring disease organisms formulated to control pests.
• C. They are plant oils used as repellents.
• D. They are not biodegradable.

Answer: (B)

Microbial pesticides rely on living microorganisms or their natural toxins to control pests. They come from naturally occurring disease-causing organisms such as bacteria or fungi that specifically target certain pests, rather than using broad-spectrum chemical compounds. When applied, these microbes infect the pest or produce substances that kill or suppress it, often with high specificity and lower risk to humans and beneficial organisms. They are biodegradable, breaking down in the environment after their job is done, unlike persistent synthetic chemical pesticides. This is why the statement that they are naturally occurring disease organisms formulated to control pests is true. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis targets caterpillars, and Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that can infect various insect pests.

Microbial pesticides rely on living microorganisms or their natural toxins to control pests. They come from naturally occurring disease-causing organisms such as bacteria or fungi that specifically target certain pests, rather than using broad-spectrum chemical compounds. When applied, these microbes infect the pest or produce substances that kill or suppress it, often with high specificity and lower risk to humans and beneficial organisms. They are biodegradable, breaking down in the environment after their job is done, unlike persistent synthetic chemical pesticides. This is why the statement that they are naturally occurring disease organisms formulated to control pests is true. For example, Bacillus thuringiensis targets caterpillars, and Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that can infect various insect pests.