Insects may be infested with pathogens; viruses cannot infect insects. Which statement is correct?

Insects may be infested with pathogens; viruses cannot infect insects. Which statement is correct?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Only bacterial pathogens affect insects

Answer: (B)

Viruses can infect insects; they are a real type of pathogen for insects. There are well-known insect viruses, such as baculoviruses that infect caterpillars and densoviruses that affect various insects. These viruses replicate inside insect cells and can cause disease or death, and they’re used in some biological pest-control products because they can be very host-specific. So saying that viruses cannot infect insects is false. Insects can be affected by multiple kinds of pathogens, not just bacteria.

Viruses can infect insects; they are a real type of pathogen for insects. There are well-known insect viruses, such as baculoviruses that infect caterpillars and densoviruses that affect various insects. These viruses replicate inside insect cells and can cause disease or death, and they’re used in some biological pest-control products because they can be very host-specific. So saying that viruses cannot infect insects is false. Insects can be affected by multiple kinds of pathogens, not just bacteria.