Botanical insecticides – insecticides derived from plant materials with minimal processing or alteration – include a wide array of compounds. Most, but not all, are characterized by relatively low toxicity to mammals and relatively short persistence in the environment. Among those known and used for the longest period are pyrethrum and its constituent pyrethrins, rotenone, sabadilla, ryania, and nicotine. Although these materials are well known to many, the availability and use of all but pyrethrins have declined markedly in recent years, even from an already modest level of use. More recent entries to the field of botanical products include neem, the citrus oils limonene and linalool, and oils or extracts of cedar, garlic, rosemary, and hot peppers. Many additional plants and plant materials are used as repellents or insecticides by more primitive cultures in developing countries. Somewhat related to the botanical insecticides are dormant and summer oils, insecticidal soaps, and abrasive materials such as diatomaceous earth and kaolin. Although botanical insecticides and related natural products are used commonly in some niches, they are not used extensively in the developed world outside of organic production systems. Their use is limited for reasons that are specific to each compound but include cost, availability, persistence, efficacy, toxicity, and regulatory approval. This presentation will discuss the origin, mode of action, toxicity, and uses of major botanical insecticides and related natural products and provide an update on their status and likely future. The characteristics of products that might become important insecticides in the future will also be discussed