What is defined as a "biopesticide"?

A biopesticide is defined as a pesticide derived from natural materials, which include animals, plants, microorganisms, and certain minerals. These products tend to be more environmentally friendly than their conventional counterparts, often breaking down more easily in the environment and having less non-target organism toxicity. Biopesticides are developed to target specific pests while minimizing adverse effects on beneficial organisms, which is a critical aspect of sustainable pest management practices. This definition clearly aligns with the characteristic of biopesticides being based on natural resources rather than synthetic chemicals.

In contrast, a pesticide made from synthetic chemicals would not fall under the category of biopesticides, as it lacks the natural origin that defines them. A pesticide that is ineffective does not contribute to the understanding of what classifies a biopesticide, while the mention of industrial use does not pertain to the definition of biopesticides and typically relates to other categories of pesticides and their applications.