Recent advances in biological control of pest insects by using viruses in China

Temporal expression profiling of novel Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus-encoded microRNAs upon infection of Sf21 cells

“…These viruses exhibit biphasic morphology in the form of occluded and budded viruses pre-ordained for primary larval infection and horizontal spread within the host, respectively. These have been employed extensively as protein expression vectors (Contreras-Gó mez et al, 2014;Hitchman et al, 2011;Kost et al, 2005;Murphy et al, 2004) and as biopesticide agents against major lepidopteran crop pests (Heimpel et al, 1973;Summers, 2006;Sun & Peng, 2007). Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV) has been exploited as a commercially viable alternative to obliterate the polyphagous insect pest Spodoptera litura, which infects more than 120 plant species spanning several regions of Asia and Oceania (Nathan & Kalaivani, 2005;Okada, 1977;Zhang, 1994).…”

The ac53 , ac78 , ac101 , and ac103 Genes Are Newly Discovered Core Genes in the Family Baculoviridae

“…Therefore, a genetic understanding of these viruses is a key point in their characterization. Thus, a set of common genes (known as core genes) which seem to be crucial factors for some of the main biological functions (transcription of viral late genes, production of the virion structure, infection of gut cells, abrogation of the host metabolism, and establishment of the infection) have been identified by comparisons among all baculovirus genomes sequenced (12,15,36,50). To date, 33 genes are recognized as the set of encoding sequences shared by members of the family Baculoviridae (5,6,17,19,20,24,25,35,39,44,57).…”

Biological Control of Parasites

“…In the past, biological control has been applied successfully to control parasites especially in the agricultural sector [120]. However, there are still many challenges in the implementation of biological control strategies including their potential effects on native biodiversity [133][134][135], the unwillingness to ditch the chemical methods for BCAs by farmers [129] and challenges in the production and distribution of the BCAs [136]. With the recent advances in biotechnology and the application of most recent technologies such as nanotechnology [145] and microencapsulation [162], there are many opportunities for the continued use and expanded role of natural enemies in biological control; newer BCAs are being identified and older ones are being genetically engineered to make them more efficacious in their antagonism of parasites.…”

“…In China, the baculovirus HearNPV has also been successfully used to control the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, which was a major pest of cotton and had developed resistance to the chemical insecticides in many parts of the world [129].…”