Olfactory genomics and biotechnology in insect control

Abstract Over recent years genomic technologies have been applied to identifying chemosensory genes from many pest insects in the hope that this information will inform the development of new insect control strategies. This chapter examines whether this hope has been realised. Many different functional genomics approaches have been used to assess whether various chemosensory proteins would make good targets against which to develop new control tactics. Among these olfactory receptors are arguably the best option to target. Applications of chemosensory proteins in pest control include using reverse chemical ecology to identify novel attractants and repellents, the development of enhanced mating disruptants and receptor antagonists to confuse pests and the use of olfactory receptors in biosensors for pest monitoring. While no products have yet hit the market, biosensor development for monitoring looks to be the most likely initial application.