Insect and mite pests cause significant damage and yield losses in tropical and sub-tropical vegetable production systems. Bio-rational pest management approaches reduce these losses while causing minimal or no adverse impacts on non-target organisms as well as the environment. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are an important component in bio-rational approaches. Although IGRs may not be preferred to manage borer pests because of their slow action, they are quite effective against whiteflies. Different strains of sub-species of Bacillus thuringiensis have been proven effective against various lepidopteran pests on vegetable crops in the tropics and sub-tropics. Since B. thuringienesis does no or little harmto natural enemy populations in the field, it has become an ideal component in eco-friendly pest management approaches. Entomopathogenic fungi are effective not only for insect pests, but also for mites; they also can play a vital role in pest management as endophytes. Entomopathogenic viruses, espcially nucleopolyhedroviruses, have been successfully exploited in pest management programs. natural plant products such as neem act syntergistically with these viruses, in addition to suppressing the pest populations as feeding deterrents, oviposition repellents, and toxic substances. Semio-chemicals such as kairomones and pheromones serve as monitoring tools and also act as 'attract and kill' tools, especially when combined with other pest management strategies.