Natural and engineered viral agents
1994
Vaughn, J.L.
Of the many viruses infecting insects, the nuclear polyhedrosis viruses and the granulosis viruses, both members of the family Baculoviridae, are the most promising candidates for use in insect pest management because they have many of the desired characteristics of the ideal microbial agent. They are found only in Arthropods; infecting the immature, feeding stage of the insect and causing devastating epizootics in natural populations. The range of susceptible insects is limited to closely related species, often only within the same genera. In addition, the infectious virion is embedded in a protein body that protects it from inactivation in storage and in the field. Increased levels of resistance to chemical insecticides, the public's concern with environmental contamination and the possible health effects of chemicals in their food, have focused attention on the use of alternative methods for pest management. The papers in this session review the current research on these viruses, including altering the viruses with recombinant DNA techniques to develop more effective pest management tools.
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