Biological control is widely successful at controlling pests, but effective biocontrol agents are now more difficult to import from countries of origin due to more restrictive international trade laws (the Nagoya Protocol). Coupled with increasing demand, the efficacy of existing and new biocontrol agents needs to be improved with genetic and genomic approaches. Although they have been underutilised in the past, application of genetic and genomic techniques is becoming more feasible from both technological and economic perspectives. We review current methods and provide a framework for using them. First, it is necessary to identify which biocontrol trait to select and in what direction. Next, the genes or markers linked to these traits need be determined, including how to implement this information into a selective breeding program. Choosing a trait can be assisted by modelling to account for the proper agro‐ecological context, and by knowing which traits have sufficiently high heritability values. We provide guidelines for designing genomic strategies in biocontrol programs, which depend on the organism, budget, and desired objective. Genomic approaches start with genome sequencing and assembly. We provide a guide for deciding the most successful sequencing strategy for biocontrol agents. Gene discovery involves quantitative trait loci analyses, transcriptomic and proteomic studies, and gene editing. Improving biocontrol practices includes marker‐assisted selection, genomic selection and microbiome manipulation of biocontrol agents, and monitoring for genetic variation during rearing and post‐release. We conclude by identifying the most promising applications of genetic and genomic methods to improve biological control efficacy.

中文翻译：

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下一代生物控制：整合遗传学和基因组学的需要

生物防治在防治害虫方面取得了广泛成功，但由于国际贸易法（《名古屋议定书》）更加严格，有效的生物防治剂现在更难从原产国进口。随着需求的增加，现有和新的生物防治剂的功效需要通过遗传和基因组方法来提高。尽管它们在过去未被充分利用，但从技术和经济角度来看，遗传和基因组技术的应用正变得越来越可行。我们回顾了当前的方法并提供了使用它们的框架。首先，有必要确定选择哪种生物防治性状以及选择的方向。接下来，需要确定与这些性状相关的基因或标记，包括如何将这些信息应用到选择性育种计划中。可以通过建模来解释适当的农业生态环境，并通过了解哪些性状具有足够高的遗传力值来帮助选择性状。我们提供了在生物防治计划中设计基因组策略的指南，这取决于生物体、预算和期望的目标。基因组方法从基因组测序和组装开始。我们为确定最成功的生物防治剂测序策略提供了指南。基因发现涉及数量性状基因座分析、转录组学和蛋白质组学研究以及基因编辑。改进生物防治实践包括生物防治剂的标记辅助选择、基因组选择和微生物组操作，以及在饲养和释放后监测遗传变异。