Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Q. 22 What for nucleopolyhedro viruses are being used now a-days?

Several methods of biological control are being used in the pest management to keep the

pollution-free environment and yield clean, non-toxic and good quality products for human

consumption.

Baculoviruses are a group of viruses used as biological control agents that occur naturally

and are specific to some insects. Most of the baculoviruses belong to the genus

Nucleopolyhedro virus.

These viruses are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal

applications. They have been shows lo have no negalive impacts on plants, mammals,

birds fish or even on 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.