Insect Viruses Pest Management

This is an essential guidebook, providing a comprehensive overview of insect viruses and pest management. Part One of this volume explores the rationale behind the employment of insect pathogenic viruses in pest control and documents the assessment of biological activity, the ecology of baculoviruses, control strategies, virus production and formulation, and the conduct and recording of field control trials. Part Two comprises an authoritative global survey of current practice, R&D, and up-to-date technical studies of insect viruses and their application in pest management. This survey was compiled with the assistance of a panel of world-wide experts and will prove an invaluable and unique data source. Building on the key topics discussed in Part One, easy-to-follow, practical protocols are presented in Part Three, including detailed accounts of standard operating procedures for working with insects, isolation, propagation (in vivo and in vitro), purification, characterization and enumeration of viruses, suggestions for good laboratory layout and design, mass production methods, formulation and quality control. The importance of external environmental factors concerning virus survival and efficacy is also not forgotten, and in the final part the effects of solar radiation and the relationships between viruses and plant surfaces are discussed. Indispensable reading for all professionals and students interested in insect virology and pest control, this book is a comprehensive reference manual.

BASIC PRINCIPLES. Rationale for the Use of Microbial Pesticides. Characteristics of Insect Pathogenic Viruses. Assessment of Biological Activity. The Ecology of Baculoviruses in Insect Hosts. Control Strategies. Virus Production. Formulation. Spray Application of Baculoviruses. Conduct and Recording of Field Control Trials. Future Developments. WORLD SURVEY. A World Survey of Virus Control of Insect Pests. Western Europe. Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. Indian Subcontinent. South--east Asia and the Western Pacific. Peoplea s Republic of China. Japan. Africa, the Near and Middle East. Australasia. North America. Central America and the Caribbean. South America. PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES. General Laboratory Practice. Working with the Host. Working with the Virus. Enumeration of Virus. Cell Culture. Mass Production, Product Formulation and Quality Control. Spray Application. Registration Requirements. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING VIRAL SURVIVAL. Solar Radiation, with Emphasis on the Ultraviolet. Plant Surfaces. Glossary. Further Reading. Index.