DNA Insecticide: An Emerging Crop Protection Technology

The agriculture industry faces a challenge in balancing the need for pest management and environmental protection. This review describes DNA insecticides, composed of small, single-stranded oligonucleotides that are environment-friendly and target pests efficiently and specifically DNA insecticide stems from the discovery of coevolution between baculo viruses and insects, where the virus exploit inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) genes to stop insect-induced apoptosis. Historically, the journey started by targeting IAP genes. Butthis context has now changed as DNA insecticides work best by targeting ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) of insect pests, where the oligonucleotide from rRNAs or any gene can be artificially designed using Contact Unmodified Antisense DNA (CUAD) Biotechnology to against the host target genes. DNA insecticides being operative in nature got later uncovered by humans showcases a novel, advantageous, and secure approach to manage insect pests.