Abstract
The use of insect viruses as biological control agents started in the early 1960s in China. To date, more than 32 viruses have been used to control insect pests in agriculture, forestry, pastures, and domestic gardens in China. In 2014, 57 products from 11 viruses were authorized as commercial viral insecticides by the Ministry of Agriculture of China. Approximately 1600 tons of viral insecticidal formulations have been produced annually in recent years, accounting for about 0.2% of the total insecticide output of China. The development and use of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus, Mamestra brassicae nucleopolyhedrovirus, Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus, and Periplaneta fuliginosa densovirus are discussed as case studies. Additionally, some baculoviruses have been genetically modified to improve their killing rate, infectivity, and ultraviolet resistance. In this context, the biosafety assessment of a genetically modified Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus is discussed.
Highlights
Research on insect viruses in China started with the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus in the mid-1950s [1] and, to date, more than 200 insect virus isolates have been recorded in China
The earliest experiments investigating the use of insect viruses as biological control agents in China started in the early 1960s, e.g., two baculoviruses were inoculated into their noctuid hosts, Agrotis segetum and Apamea sordens [2]
According to a questionnaire survey of insecticide producers conducted by ICAMA, total production of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) formulations was 968 tons in 2012 [10], making it the most produced viral insecticide in China (Table 2)
Summary
Research on insect viruses in China started with the Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus in the mid-1950s [1] and, to date, more than 200 insect virus isolates have been recorded in China. Viruses from several families, such as Baculoviridae, Reoviridae, Densoviridae, and Entomopoxvirinae can cause epizootics in natural populations of insects. Such viruses are attractive biological agents for the control of insect pests in agriculture, forestry, pasture, and domestic gardens. The Viruses 2015, 7 history and current status of the development and use of viral insecticides in China over the past 50 years are reviewed
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