Insect transgenesis covers a dynamic and diverse field of research activities. It seems that since its introduction as a concept just a few short years ago, the subject has grown rapidly to see the recent successful transformation of an anopheline mosquito and the broad acceptance that using transgenic insects in control strategies may have crossed the line from concept to real discussion about implementation. This text brings together major contributors to present a wide-ranging overview of the history, approaches, methodologies and applications of insect transgenesis. While recent developments in this fast-moving research area will inevitably be missing, the book is well overdue and will be a boon to new and established researchers alike.

The 20 chapters in seven sections cover most of the field from ‘An Introduction to the History and Methodology of Insect Gene Transfer' right through to the assessment of strategies for the release of insect transgenics. In between, we are provided with sections on traditional and current phenotypic markers for selection, target genes for disruption or exploitation, the description and use of viral vectors and transposable elements, and the modification of symbionts rather than the insects themselves. The chapters are not entirely consistent in format–some provide summaries of methodologies, helpful hints and tips, and even sources of reagents, others provide a more detached overview of the respective subject matter. Some chapters offer results-based reviews of the authors' research while others are more pluralistic in their contributions. Unexpectedly, this does not detract from the readability, which is generally high, but does sometimes leave the reader with a desire for more specific detail in some chapters. That said, the editors have done a fine job of allowing the authors enough freedom while still ensuring sufficient consistency for the chapters to form a coherent whole. In this regard, cross-referencing between chapters is extremely good for such a multi-author text.

I approached Insect Transgenesis – Methods and Applications from a researcher's perspective and was not disappointed. Contrary to what one would expect from its title, this is not a book that will provide the reader with detailed methodologies; it is not a laboratory manual. It does, however, provide an extremely useful breadth and depth of information within one volume. For current and future practitioners, the usually comprehensive reference lists ensure that subjects can be followed up with relative ease and full acknowledgement is made to seminal articles. There were one or two surprising omissions; enhancer trap methods do not get a mention despite their growing and important contribution to fundamental questions of cell biology and tissue function. Some modeling (if it exists in any quantity) of transgenic insect release in the context of population biology and disease would have been a valuable inclusion. The book is relatively biased towards the medical and veterinary insect disciplines, but perhaps this is a fair reflection of the direction of transgenic insect biology.

The bonus element of the text lies in the introductory sections to each chapter. Some of these are truly excellent, and offer a valuable resource in the form of small subject reviews suitable for both teaching at advanced undergraduate level and as start points for research student reading. The book is priced within the typical range for an academic research text, but there is enough added value to make the expenditure worthwhile. Insect Transgenesis – Methods and Applications is a welcome and highly recommended addition to the bookshelf of insect molecular biologists.