Non-target effects of bioinsecticides: Hic sunt draconis!

In the complex landscape of anthropogenic stressors, pesticides remain prominent and contentious. While conventional pesticides remain as controversial today as they were 60 years ago, when Rachel Carson's Silent Spring sounded the alarm, bioinsecticides present a contrast: they offer benefits, have deep historical roots, and have largely escaped such scrutiny. Yet, from a pragmatic perspective, it is the chemical structure and associated physicochemical properties that determine human and environmental safetydnot simply the origin of a chemical. Nonetheless, the increasing popularity of bioinsecticides has ushered in a more lenient approach from regulatory bodies, raising questions about unintended consequences. Given the growing role of bioinsecticides in pest management, it is essential to also address the biases that accompany this rise, which often prioritize efficacy and feasibility while neglecting potential impacts on non-target species. This journal Issue, therefore, explores the unique characteristics and hidden complexities of bioinsecticide non-target effects, setting forth to chart a course through this largely unexplored territory.