The success of modern agriculture in developing and maintaining high-yield crops depends strongly on controlling insect pests by means of heavy use of insecticides, and at present organo-synthetic chemical insecticides remain the main weapon in this armory. However, in recent decades, uncontrolled application of chemical insecticides has led to acquisition of resistance by insects, has contaminated the environment with toxic residues that endanger humans and other life forms, and has disrupted the ecological balance in and around cultivated fields. The growing concern regarding the toxic effects of insecticides has led to the implementation of strict regulations in the Western World, and these are being adopted by other countries too. These regulations limit the application of some organo-chemical insecticides and ban continued use of the more toxic ones.