Abstract Classical biological control attempts from 1921 to 1944 were not effective. During the 1960s, an important success was obtained by controlling the rhodesgrass scale in thousands of hectares of pastures with an introduced parasitoid. Also biocontrol of wheat aphids by introduction of parasitoids and predators appeared effective. Further, classical biocontrol of sirex wood wasps in pine plantations was achieved with parasitoids and entomopathogenic nematodes. Augmentative biocontrol of the sugarcane borer by native dipteran parasitoids started in the 1960s, later followed by importation and release of Cotesia flavipes parasitoids. In the 1980s, biocontrol of soybean caterpillars was realized on more than 2 million hectares by application of on-farm produced AgMNPV virus. Predatory mites are used for augmentative biocontrol of spider mites in apple orchards and greenhouse crops; predators and parasitoids are used for control of lepidopterans in eucalyptus plantations and field crops such as sugarcane. Parasitoids are released in soybean for control of stink bugs. Trichoderma spp. are applied on 5.5 million hectares for control of soil-borne diseases in many crops. Recent successful classical biocontrol programmes deal with control of cassava mealybug, citrus leaf miner, and Asian citrus psyllid. Brazil has become one of the pioneer countries worldwide in the production and use of microbial control agents and natural enemies to control pests and diseases on millions of hectares. Brazil currently has 26 facilities producing microbial agents and 21 for mass rearing natural enemies. More than 80 microbial products are registered for control of arthropods, while fewer than ten natural enemies have been registered to date.