What is a biopesticide?

A biopesticide is defined as a pesticide derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, or microorganisms. The significance of biopesticides lies in their ability to offer effective pest control while often being more environmentally friendly compared to synthetic pesticides. They typically have a lower toxicity to non-target organisms and a reduced likelihood of contributing to pesticide resistance.

Biopesticides can include naturally occurring substances, such as pheromones used to disrupt the mating patterns of pests, or microbes that target specific pest species. Since they harness nature's own defenses, they are considered an important part of integrated pest management systems, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.

The other options focus on different characteristics that are not applicable to biopesticides: synthetic chemicals and regulatory approval do not define what a biopesticide is, and a pesticide impacting only non-target species does not align with the function of biopesticides. Hence, the correct definition focuses on their origin from natural sources.