Field Guide    Biocontrols  Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV’s)

Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV’s)

Nucleopolyhedrovirus is a specialized viral pathogen that gives a natural and effective way to control insects, mainly in agricultural and forestry settings. This virus targets caterpillars and butterfly species, including pests like armyworms, cutworms, and bollworms.

The virus is ingested by larvae during feeding, then it dissolves in the insect’s gut, releasing viral particles that infect and replicate inside host cells. This infection spreads, causing the caterpillar to liquefy and release more viral particles, which further spread through the environment to infect new hosts. The nature of NPV make it a continued pest suppression with limited human intervention.

A main advantage of NPV is its safety, as it typically causes no harm to beneficial insects, humans, or wildlife. It works well in farming programs, because of its ability to reduce chemical use.

Using NPV in pest management offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to controlling caterpillar populations. By using this virus, farmers can keep healthier crops while preserving biodiversity.