Symbiosis research as a novel strategy for insect pest control

Abstract

Insects cause problems in two ways they either physically damage or transmit disease. In both cases killing insects can be a very effective way of stopping the problem, but different strategies can be deployed to effect control. In some cases, the control of the insect problem needs to be immediate kill or knockdown, but often more subtle methods are more advantageus in controlling the problem, i.e. decreasing longevity or modifying behaviour. Good pest management strategies seek to identify and exploit the vulnerable points of the insect's lifecycle or the disease they vector. This means that all control measures must be built on a solid understanding of the pest's biology and the economics of the problems they cause. This chapter will explore how microbial symbionts could be utilised in pest management. Although symbiont research may not provide a silver bullet it will provide important contributions to aid the control of insect pests within an integrated framework. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.