Prospects for the development of a genetically engineered baculovirus insecticide

摘要

AbstractBaculoviruses are insect‐specific pathogens which have been employed for the natural control of insect pests for many years. They present an alternative to the use of chemical agents for crop protection. Their restricted host range enables particular pest species to be targeted, and this prevents any loss of beneficial insects from a treated area. However, their large‐scale development as insect control agents has been limited because they take longer to kill the host following infection than rapidly‐acting chemical insecticides. The aim of genetic modification of baculoviruses is to increase their speed of action, while preserving their beneficial characteristics, so creating a fast‐acting, environmentally friendly insecticide. The prospects for achieving this are discussed in this paper, with consideration of scientific progress and the influence of economic and legislative