Insect Viruses

Viruses interact with insect hosts in a variety of ways. The insect could be the virus's primary host or it could act as a vector, spreading the virus to other plants or animals. Scientists are more interested in developing alternatives for controlling insect pests as public concern about the environmental repercussions of widespread use of chemical pesticides and the development of insect resistance to these products grows. Insects are serious pests that affect not only agricultural crops but also domestic animals and humans. Viruses provide safe and environmentally beneficial insect pest management options through a variety of ways. Baculoviruses have been used successfully as biological control agents against a variety of insect pests. Viruses from various families have been proposed for usage, and their safety, specificity, and efficacy in controlling their insect hosts are being evaluated.

• Biological Control
• Host Defence and Immunity
• Host–Virus Interactions
• Viral Pathogenesis
• Virus Evolution
• Virus Replication
• Virus Structure and Assembly
• Pesticides and Insecticides