A method for producing a recombinant baculovirus expression vector, capable of expression of a selected gene in a host insect cell, is disclosed. The preferred method involves cleaving baculovirus DNA to produce a DNA fragment comprising a polyhedrin gene or portion thereof, including a polyhedrin promoter. A recombinant shuttle vector is prepared by inserting said DNA fragment into a cloning vehicle and thereafter inserting a selected gene into the thus modified cloning vehicle such that it is under the transcriptional control of the polyhedrin promoter. The recombinant shuttle vector is contacted with a baculovirus DNA so as to effect recombination and incorporation of the selected gene into the baculovirus genome.