Recent research progress and outlook on applications of Raman scattering in pest detection and control: Raman spectroscopy and its application in entomology

Raman spectroscopy is a rapid, noninvasive and sensitive method for analyzing the chemical composition and structure of various sample types. Over the last thirty years, this method has been used widely in entomology, from insect taxonomy to the detection of pest infestations in plants. This review describes the historical and contemporary applications of Raman spectroscopy in entomology. Researchers have demonstrated their unique advantages in identifying insect species, age and sex. The applicability in detecting agricultural pests has also been well proven. Two particularly promising future applications are: (1) the rapid and precise analysis of chemical and conformational structure; and (2) the detection and identification of insects in agricultural products. Interdisciplinary collaboration between entomologists, chemometricians and spectroscopists is needed to advance the application of this spectroscopic technique and to solve the problem of compositional analysis of complex samples and the determination of unknown components, thus providing a stronger technical basis for the prevention and control of harmful insects.