Exploring the potential of genetic improvement of insects: A case study using the haplodiploid parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis

Insects have gained increasing interests in diverse agricultural applications, ranging from the use of insect-derived protein in animal feed to the use of insects as natural enemies of agricultural pests. Using the knowledge of genetics is a powerful way to improve the application of insects in agriculture. The exploitation of genetic variation in insects has been discussed for long time, however, the nature of genetic variation is still largely unexplored for insects outside of well-studies species.