Viruses as

Biological Control
for Crop Pest
A summary by JTPit
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent
that replicates only inside the living
cells of other organisms. Viruses
can infect all types of life forms,
from animals and plants to
microorganisms, including bacteria
and archaea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus
Insect viruses
Obligate disease-causing
organisms that can only reproduce
within a host insect. They can
provide safe, effective and
sustainable control of a variety of
insect pests, although they are most
effective as part of a diverse
integrated pest management
program.

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-
agents-of-insect-pests#.VgAXAd-qqko
o Some viruses are produced as
commercial products, most notably for
fruit pests, but many others are
naturally occurring and can initiate
outbreaks without additional inputs.
o Insect viruses are potent population
regulators of many caterpillar pests.
o All are highly specific in their host
range, usually limited to a single type
of insect.

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-agents-of-insect-pests#.VgAXAd-
Baculoviruses (Baculoviridae)
o The most common and effective type of
insect viruses are the baculoviruses, which
as a group are known to infect over 600
insect species worldwide.
o Pathogens that attack insects and other
arthropods.
o The majority of baculoviruses used as
biological control agents are in the
genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus, so
"baculovirus" or "virus" will hereafter refer
to nucleopolyhedroviruses.

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
o These viruses are excellent candidates
for species-specific, narrow spectrum
insecticidal applications.
o They have been shown to have no
negative impacts on plants, mammals,
birds, fish, or even on non-target insects.
o This is especially desirable when
beneficial insects are being conserved to
aid in an overall IPM program, or when
an ecologically sensitive area is being
treated.
http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
Life Cycle
 Viruses are unable to reproduce
without a host - they
are obligate parasites. Baculoviruses
are no exception. The cells of the
host's body are taken over by the
genetic message carried within each
virion (Fig. C), and forced to produce
more virus particles until the cell, and
ultimately the insect, dies.
http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
o Most baculoviruses cause the host insect to die in
a way that will maximize the chance that other
insects will come in contact with the virus and
become infected in turn.
o Infection by baculovirus begins when an insect
eats virus particles on a plant - perhaps from a
sprayed treatment.
o The infected insect dies and "melts" or falls apart
on foliage, releasing more virus.
o This additional infective material can infect more
insects, continuing the cycle.

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
Relative Effectiveness
It is widely acknowledged that
baculoviruses can be as effective as
chemical pesticides in controlling
specific insect pests. However, the
expense of treating a hectare of land
with a baculovirus product invariably
costs more than an equally efficacious
chemical treament.

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
Appearance
o Insects killed by baculoviruses have a
characteristic shiny-oily appearance, and are
often seen hanging limply from vegetation.
o They are extremely fragile to the touch, rupturing
to release fluid filled with infective virus
particles.
o This tendency to remain attached to foliage and
then rupture is an important aspect of the virus
life-cycle.
o As discussed above, infection of other insects
will only occur if they eat foliage that has been
contaminated by virus-killed larvae.
http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
Habitat
Baculoviruses can be found
wherever insects exist. Because rain
and wind readily carry baculoviruses
from place to place, it is likely that
every piece of land and body of water
contains some virus particles. It is
widely accepted by researchers that
most produce currently on the shelves
is "contaminated" by baculovirus
particles (Heimpel et al., 1973).
http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
 Pests Attacked
Like most viruses, baculoviruses tend
to be species or genus specific, although
there are some exceptions to this rule,
notably the Autographa californica nuclear
polyhedrosis virus. Much of the genetics
work currently being done to improve
baculovirus-based pesticides is concentrated
in the area of the virus genome controlling its
host range.

http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/pathogens/baculoviruses.php
Life Cycle of Insect Viruses
Virus particles are usually found on the surface of plants or in the
soil. Insects become infected by consuming plant material with viral
particles on the surface, although some pests of low-growing plants
can be infected by contact with the soil (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Generalized life-cycle of insect viruses. Figure credit: Jim

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-agents-of-insect-pests#.VgAXAd-qqko
Advantages and
Disadvantages of Insect
Viruses for Controlling Pests
Advantages
 Insect viruses are unable to infect mammals, including humans,
which makes them very safe to handle.
 Most insect viruses are relatively specific, so the risk of non-
target effects on beneficial insects is very low.
 Many viruses occur naturally and may already be present in the
environment.
 Even in cases where they are applied, successful infections can
perpetuate the disease outbreak making repeat applications within
a season unnecessary.

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-agents-of-insect-
pests#.VgAXAd-qqko
Disadvantages

 Most insect viruses take several days to kill their host insect,
during which the pest is still causing damage. Insect death is
also dose dependent, and very high doses are often necessary
for adequate control.
 As insects age, they can become less susceptible to virus
infection, so viruses are usually only effective against early
larval life stages.
 Although viruses can persist in the environment for months or
years, exposed virus particles, like those on the surface of
plants, are quickly inactivated by direct sunlight or high
temperatures, which can limit their persistence within a given
season.
 Some agricultural practices can reduce persistence between
seasons, such as tillage, which buries virus particles in the
soil.

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-agents-of-insect-pests#.VgAXAd-qqko
Suggestions for application
of insect viruses
1. Insect viruses are fairly specific, be sure that
the target pest is correctly identified.
2. Carefully scout fields before application and
apply virus when the target pests are young but
actively feeding. Scouting can also help you
discover natural viral or other disease outbreaks
developing in your crop, which depending on
their extent, could influence other control
decisions.
3. Apply virus to maximize the longevity and
effectiveness of virus particles:
 Thoroughly coat plants to maximize coverage. Young plants can
even be dipped in a solution of virus particles to completely
cover the leaf area.
 Apply in the morning or evening or on cloudy days when
degradation from sunlight is reduced.
 Avoid applying on rainy days, as rain will wash virus particles
off the leaf surfaces.
 Use formulations with ultraviolet (UV) light blockers and
sticking agents to increase longevity. Check carefully to make
sure these formulations comply with organic standards.
 Using mixed cropping and reduce soil disturbance after
application. These help increase the persistence of virus particles
in the system and may lead to better control within and between
growing seasons.

http://www.extension.org/pages/18927/viruses-as-biological-control-agents-of-insect-pests#.VgAXAd-qqko