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Abstract Background Insect pests are a major cause for losses in agricultural systems, and it is reported that they alone cause up to 45% loss in annual food production. Alleviating the destructive upheaval caused by these six-legged mortals in the agroecosystems falls within the expansive docket of the scientific coterie. Hence, insects are a subject to many experiments in the laboratories and on fields to understand and evaluate their interactions with their biology, physiology, and behavior so as to develop effective managerial strategies against them. Conventional methods include rearing the insects in the laboratory for experimenting on them, which is a very tiring as well as time-consuming process. How convenient it would be, if there is a way to conduct experiments which are directed specifically toward the tissues of insects, particularly cells. Main body The present review presents the immense potential of insect cell cultures in screening the toxicity and mode of action of novel insecticides, physiological studies apart from their ability to produce recombinant proteins through baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) which includes a broad range of molecules ranging from the antibiotics to the vaccines. Also, we bring together the concept of culturing insect cells in vitro and how revolutionary they could be in changing the future of research in burgeoning strategies to tackle the menace of insect pests in agricultural production systems. Conclusion A deeper grasp of biology and physiological processes will enable us to create techniques that will improve our arsenal in the fight against food crop insect pests. The advancement in culturing insect cells and their potential in entomological research aimed at developing pest control strategies and also for manufacturing vaccines.

Different local Manipuri rice genotypes were screened out to find their resistance reaction against rice yellow stem borer during kharif 2018 at College of Agriculture, CAU farm. The per cent of the incidence of stem borer ranges from 1.07 to 4.97 per cent of stem borer damage. Among the 41 local Manipuri rice genotypes screened against stem borer, Moirangphou Khokngambi (1.47 per cent stem borer damage), Chingphou (1.70 per cent stem borer damage), Tei (1.71 stem borer damage), Bungpat (1.79 per cent stem borer damage), Phouren Khoknembi (1.83 per cent stem borer damage) and Langphou (1.98 per cent stem borer damage) were recorded minimum incidence against stem borer. Whereas, Mieling Manthowean (4.53 per cent stem borer damage), Kiebiphou (4.28 per cent stem borer damage), Mashi (3.89 per cent stem borer damage), Mashi Manui (3.81 per cent stem borer damage), Tathai (3.78 per cent stem borer damage), Aso (3.72 per cent stem borer damage) and Shangao (3.72 per cent stem borer damage) recorded highest incidence of stem borer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different local Manipuri rice genotypes were screened out to find their resistance reaction against rice yellow stem borer during kharif 2018 at College of Agriculture, CAU farm. The average infestation of leaf folder from vegetative stage up to near maturity of the crops ranges from 2.32 per cent damage leaves to 6.14 per cent damage leaves. The lowest infestation was recorded in Khaenoh and the highest in standard check. The average lowest incidence of rice leaf folder was observed in the rice genotypes Khaenoh (2.32 per cent leave damage), Phouren Noining (2.37 per cent leaf damage), Niirui (2.57 per cent leaf damage), Shangao (2.72 per cent leave damage), and Langphou (2.85 per cent leaf damage) in ascending order. Among the different rice entries, the average highest percent leaf damage leaves due to leaf folder infestation was observed in Kikhu (5.47 per cent leaf damage), Mashi Manui (4.94 per cent leaf damage), Mileing Manthowean (4.76 per cent leaf damage), Tathai (4.71 per cent leaf damage) and Naga Buh (4.61 per cent leaf damage) in descending order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]