Genetically-engineered baculovirus pesticides and their environmental safety

Baculoviruses such as the Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV) are ecologically attractive alternatives to chemical insect pesticides but have a slow rate of control. To overcome this we have developed and are field testing an environmentally acceptable strategy which can be used for the introduction and expression of pesticide-enhancing genes by baculoviruses. The field release data will be used to construct environmentally-safe, viral pesticides which have improved pesticidal properties and which will not persist in nature.