Baculoviruses of forest pests – their application from an European perspective

The biological control of forests pest insects using highly specific baculoviruses is a promising chance and a technical challenge. In North America, several important forest pest insects are being controlled or have the potential to be controlled using baculoviruses. These include the control of gypsy moth by using Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedroviruses (LdMNPV) [Alphabaculovirus], saw flies by using Neodiprion sp. nucleopolyhedroviruses (NeleNPV, NeseNPV) [Deltabaculovirus], and the spruce budworm by applying Choristoneura fumiferana nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChfuNPV) [Alphabaculovirus] and C. fumiferana granuloviruses (ChfuGV) [Betabaculoviruses] and many others. Some of these viruses are registered and commercialized. In Europe, the interest in research and application of baculoviruses in forests declined during the last two decades, presently there is no commercial product available. The presentation will review the developments and future needs in baculovirus research to become more attractive for biocontrol of forest pests.