Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors, such as Dimilin and Applaud, do not exert their influence until the target insect is ready to molt, whereas Ecdysone Inhibitors, such as Confirm and Mimic, lead to a premature molt. Botanical Insecticides Botanical insecticides have been extracted from plants. Botanicals may have either broad-spectrum activity or activity against a few specific pests. Another botanical which is being evaluated for use is the sugar ester of Nicotiana gossei . The bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis , has been registered for use in greenhouses for several years and is effective on worm pests.
Nematodes are another example of a natural enemy that is commercially available.
The toxic component of microbials is often a toxin produced by the microbial and not the microbial itself. Avermectins are a novel class of insecticides which are a mixture of natural products produced by a soil fungus, Streptomyces avermitillis . Abamectin, a material in this class, has been widely used in greenhouses for control of mites, leafminers and thrips. There are several fungi and viruses currently being researched for possible use in greenhouses, some of which are already registered for use on other crops. Insect-pathogenic fungi might be the most promising group of microbials.