Baculoviruses (Nucleopolyhedrovirus) do not show :

effects on non-target insects

The correct answer is Option (4) - effects on non-target insects.

Baculoviruses are known to be host-specific, meaning they can only infect a certain type of insect they do not have negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish, or even non-target insects.They also have a narrow spectrum of applications, meaning they can only be used to control a specific pest. Baculoviruses do not have any negative effects on non-target insects, which makes them a useful tool in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Baculoviruses are indeed pathogens that primarily infect insects and other arthropods. The genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) contains many baculoviruses that are commonly used as biological control agents in pest management strategies.

One of the key advantages of using NPVs as biological control agents is their ability to exhibit host specificity and have a narrow spectrum of insecticidal activity. This means that they primarily target specific insect species or closely related groups of insects, minimizing the impact on non-target organisms.

In the case of NPVs, extensive research and studies have shown that they do not have negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish, or even non-target insects. This characteristic is highly desirable, especially when implementing integrated pest management (IPM) programs or treating ecologically sensitive areas.

IPM programs aim to control pests using a combination of different strategies while minimizing the use of chemical pesticides. Conservation of beneficial insects, which play a crucial role in natural pest control, is an important component of IPM. The use of NPVs in such programs allows for effective pest control while preserving beneficial insect populations.

When treating ecologically sensitive areas, such as nature reserves or habitats with endangered species, it is vital to ensure that the control methods employed do not harm non-target organisms. The use of NPVs, which have demonstrated no negative impacts on non-target insects and other organisms, provides an environmentally friendly approach in such situations.

Overall, the species-specificity, narrow spectrum applications, and minimal impact on non-target organisms make NPVs excellent candidates for insect pest management, particularly in IPM programs and ecologically sensitive areas.