Leveraging insect viruses and genetic manipulation for sustainable agricultural pest control

The potential of insect viruses in the biological control of agricultural pests is well-recognized, yet their practical application faces obstacles such as host specificity, variable virulence, and resource scarcity. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have significantly advanced our capabilities in discovering and identifying new insect viruses, thereby enriching the arsenal for pest management. Concurrently, progress in reverse genetics has facilitated the development of versatile viral expression vectors. These vectors have enhanced the specificity and effectiveness of insect viruses in targeting specific pests, offering a more precise approach to pest control. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the methodologies employed in the identification of insect viruses using HTS. Additionally, it explores the domain of genetically modified insect viruses and their associated challenges in pest management. The adoption of these cutting-edge approaches holds great promise for developing environmentally sustainable and effective pest control solutions. (c) 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. Insect viruses are identified by conducting high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis on field-collected insects. Subsequently, genetic engineering techniques are employed, including the creation of overexpression vectors, gene silencing vectors, and gene editing vectors, to harness recombinant insect viruses for effective pest control.image

Automated summary

Insect viruses have potential in biological control of agricultural pests, but face obstacles. High-throughput sequencing and reverse genetics have advanced the identification and utilization of insect viruses for precise pest control, offering sustainable solutions.