Virginiamycins S1 and M1, two major components of the antibacterial antibiotic complex produced by Streptomyces virginiae and used as an animal growth promoter in animal husbandry, exhibited a selective insecticidal activity against Leptinotarsa decemlineata comparable with the effect of the organophosphorus pesticide Metathion. An acaricidal effect of the two compounds on eggs of Tetranychus urticae was also observed.