Baculoviruses
பேகுலோவைரஸ்கள்
Chemical pesticides are biological suicide. They kill the predator along with the pest, destroying the food web. Baculoviruses are the surgical alternative nature designed.
The idea
Baculoviruses are pathogens that specifically attack insects and other arthropods. They belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. These viruses are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications. They do not affect plants, mammals, birds, or non-target insects.
Why it matters
They exist to regulate specific insect populations in an ecosystem without causing negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, or non-target beneficial insects.
NEET lens
NEET focuses on the term 'narrow-spectrum' and 'species-specific'. Do not confuse these with broad-spectrum biopesticides. Remember: they are ideal for IPM in sensitive ecological areas.
Clinical significance
In an ecosystem, these viruses prevent the collapse of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. By preserving non-target beneficial insects, they maintain biodiversity and prevent the bioaccumulation of toxic synthetic chemicals in the human food chain.
Introduction
Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The majority used as biological control agents belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus.
Core concept
Features (NCERT): excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications; shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even non-target insects. This is especially desirable when beneficial insects are being conserved to aid in an overall integrated pest management (IPM) programme, or when an ecologically sensitive area is being treated.
Go deeper
Because they target only specific insects, baculoviruses protect crops without harming pollinators and other helpful insects.
From Class 10
Some viruses infect only certain insect pests — they can be used as a safe, targeted pesticide.