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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130942
Title: Advances in the molecular genetic analysis of insects and their application to pest management

Author
item Handler, Alfred - Al
item Beeman, Richard

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/3/2003
Publication Date: 12/1/2003
Citation: Handler, A.M., Beeman, R.W. 2003. Advances in the molecular genetic analysis of insects and their application to pest management. Pest Management Science. 59:728-735.

Interpretive Summary: This article highlights the contributions of USDA-ARS scientists to the molecular genetic analysis of agriculturally important insects. It focuses on the use of these studies to advance the development of new pest management strategies through the identification and analysis of genetic systems involved in insect development, reproduction and behavior. This research will identify new targets for control of pest insects and will allow the development of highly specific insecticidal products. Other important studies involve the development of gene transfer technology to better elucidate insect biology using functional genomics analysis. This research should also allow the development of new transgenic strains for biological control. Important contributions have also been made to the development and use of molecular markers and methodologies to identify and track insect populations. The use of molecular genetic technology and strategies for insect pest management will continue to be of importance as additional genomic sequencing information becomes available from the pest insects, their targets, and other associated organisms.

Technical Abstract: ARS scientists have made important contributions to the molecular genetic analysis of agriculturally important insects, and have been on the forefront of using this information for the development of new pest management strategies. Advances have been made in the identification and analysis of genetic systems involved in insect development, reproduction and behavior to identify new targets for control as well as highly specifi insecticidal products. Other studies have been on the leading edge of developing gene transfer technology to better elucidate these biological processes though functional genomics analysis and the development of new transgenic strains for biological control. Important contributions have also been made to the development and use of molecular markers and methodologies to identify and track insect populations. The use of molecular genetic technology and strategies will become increasingly important to pest management as genomic sequencing information becomes available from the pest insects, their targets, and other associated organisms.