Manipulating fungal induced host-altered behaviour: a strategy for pest control?

The behavioural responses of insects to stimuli are extremely varied and can be manipulated as a strategy for pest control. For example our understanding of insect semiochemistry has enabled the development of novel pest control methods involving lures and repellents. Fungal pathogens (and indeed other pathogens and parasites) of insects are also known to alter insect behaviour. In most cases the behavioural alterations are not immediately applicable to pest management strategies but recent studies have demonstrated the importance of understanding the intricate nature of interactions between pathogens and their hosts particularly when the pathogen is being considered as a biological control agent. In this chapter we explore the way in which insect behaviour can be manipulated to enhance pathogen dissemination. We focus on linking current theory and understanding of insect behavioural manipulation with applications.