Further development of recombinant baculovirus insecticides.

On the basis of recent laboratory and field experiments, recombinant baculoviruses expressing insect-specific neurotoxin genes show an increased speed of insect killing compared with natural baculoviruses. They can also induce symptoms similar to those induced by chemical insecticides and have the potential for widespread use in agriculture. Current studies of the ecology and molecular biology of baculoviruses should further improve efficacy and better define safety.