Abstract:

Peritrophic membrane (PM), composed of proteins, glycosaminoglycans and chitins, is an acellular structure secreted by midgut cells and lines along digestive tract in most insects. It is the first barrier and plays an important role in protecting the gut epithelium from infection of pathogens. Biocontrol-promoting factors, such as baculovirus enhancin, chitinase, calcofluor and agglutinin, can destroy PM's structure, vary its permeability and facilitate infection of pathogens to pest insects by binding with PM components specifically. In the current paper, enhancing activity and mechanism of each biocontrolpromoting factor were summarized and opportunities for the development of new midgut targeting strategies for control of pest insects were prospected.

Key words: Peritrophic membrane, target site, biocontrolpromoting factor, biocontrol of pest insects