# The Current State and Future Potential of Microbial Control of Scarab Pests
## 3 Short Term Biopesticides versus Long Term Biocontrol  
Biopesticides are derived from naturally occurring biocontrol organisms. The biocontrol agent is modified and packaged with inert ingredients to increase its efficacy. Before we provide an overview of the microbial options available for controlling scarab pests, it is necessary to discuss some of the terminology associated with microbial pest control. Entomopathogenic microbes and their byproducts are often described as biopesticides or biocontrol agents. In both cases, these terms indicate that these products provide a safer alternative to synthetic chemicals, and, in some cases, genetically engineered options [8]. For instance, although the term biocontrol consistently specifies the use of living organisms to control insect pests that are self-replicating in the environment [9], some of the broadest definitions of biopesticides also include the use of live organisms that are repeatedly applied as a pesticide [10; 11]. Stricter definitions only pertain to the products produced by living things [12], but some, such as that of [13], combine definitions to include both the direct and indirect activity of living organisms. Additionally, some definitions of biopesticides encompass only natural plant- or microbe-derived substances, while others allow for synthetic compounds based on these chemistries [12]. The U.S. EPA outlines three different classes of biopesticides: (1) microbial pesticides, which include live bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa as the active ingredient, (2) plant-incorporated-protectants, which are substances produced by genes engineered into plants, and (3) biochemical pesticides that are naturally occurring and operate using non-toxic mechanisms, such as mating-disrupting pheromones or chemical deterrents [14]. In this review, we define biocontrol as the use of living organisms to control insect pests that are self-replicating in the environment. Biopesticides or bioradual pesticides are defined as commercial formulations used to manage pests that usually must be reapplied on a consistent basis, and hence the economic incentive for a producer to make them, as they are active for the short term and reapplication and repurchasing is necessary. Biocontrol organisms persist longer and are self-replicating in the environment. _Beaureeria bussiana_ strain GHA when registered as a biopesticide at EPA by Microtech Corp. was found not to persistent in the environment, although naturally occurring Beauveria acts like a biocontrol agent and persists in the environment. Clearly, different strains may be chosen as biopesticides so they do not create epizootics that reduce the need for future purchases and sprays. We would like to discuss an important distinction between biopesticide and biocontrol definitions that relates to the practical role of persistence. The use of live organisms in biocontrol can operate in an acute or chronic manner depending on the system. In many instances of classical biocontrol, agents have become established in areas where they were released [15; 16; 17]. In this way, biocontrol agents can persist in the environmental for longer periods than biopesticides, improving their utility for pest control. As will be shown in the following sections, many microbial agents can be difficult to culture and slow-acting. Additionally, few microbial options, on their own, fail to match the quick knockdown and efficacy of chemical insecticides. However, many of these entomogenic biocontrol agents have the potential to become locally established and provide long-term population suppression. This capability, along with their reduced risk to human health and non-targets, makes microbial agents an increasingly attractive option for minimizing the negative impacts of routine chemical insecticide use, particularly when it comes to protecting pollinators and other beneficial insects.