Skip to main content
Article
Insights from Population Genomics to Enhance and Sustain Biological Control of Insect Pests
Insects
  • Arun Sethuraman, California State University, San Marcos
  • Fredric J. Janzen, Iowa State University
  • David W. Weisrock, University of Kentucky
  • John J. Obrycki, University of Kentucky
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
7-22-2020
DOI
10.3390/insects11080462
Abstract

Biological control—the use of organisms (e.g., nematodes, arthropods, bacteria, fungi, viruses) for the suppression of insect pest species—is a well-established, ecologically sound and economically profitable tactic for crop protection. This approach has served as a sustainable solution for many insect pest problems for over a century in North America. However, all pest management tactics have associated risks. Specifically, the ecological non-target effects of biological control have been examined in numerous systems. In contrast, the need to understand the short- and long-term evolutionary consequences of human-mediated manipulation of biological control organisms for importation, augmentation and conservation biological control has only recently been acknowledged. Particularly, population genomics presents exceptional opportunities to study adaptive evolution and invasiveness of pests and biological control organisms. Population genomics also provides insights into (1) long-term biological consequences of releases, (2) the ecological success and sustainability of this pest management tactic and (3) non-target effects on native species, populations and ecosystems. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technology and model-based statistical methods to analyze population-scale genomic data provide a much needed impetus for biological control programs to benefit by incorporating a consideration of evolutionary consequences. Here, we review current technology and methods in population genomics and their applications to biological control and include basic guidelines for biological control researchers for implementing genomic technology and statistical modeling.

Comments

This article is published as Sethuraman, Arun, Fredric J. Janzen, David W. Weisrock, and John J. Obrycki. "Insights from Population Genomics to Enhance and Sustain Biological Control of Insect Pests." Insects 11, no. 8 (2020): 462. doi: 10.3390/insects11080462.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Copyright Owner
The Authors
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Arun Sethuraman, Fredric J. Janzen, David W. Weisrock and John J. Obrycki. "Insights from Population Genomics to Enhance and Sustain Biological Control of Insect Pests" Insects Vol. 11 Iss. 8 (2020) p. 462
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fredric-janzen/77/