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.