Question

Viral pesticide used against gypsy moths is:
A. NPV
B. Nosema locustae
C. Fusarium
D. Beauveria bassiana

Answer 1

Hint: A pesticide is any substance used to repel, kill, or control certain kinds of animal or plant life that is considered to be pests. Pesticides contain herbicides for destroying weeds and other unwanted vegetation, insecticides for controlling a large variety of insects, fungicides used to prevent the development of moulds and mildew, disinfectants to prevent the spread of bacteria, and compounds used to control rats and mice.


Complete step-by-step answer:

Pesticides are mixtures of substances or substances that are used primarily in agriculture or in public health protection programs to protect plants from weeds, pests, or diseases, and humans from vector-borne diseases, like dengue fever, malaria, and schistosomiasis.
NPV (nucleopolyhedrovirus) is a viral disease of caterpillars naturally occurring in Australia. As a pesticide, NPV is very specific, safe, and environmentally friendly (does not harm wildlife, humans, or other insects), making it ideal to incorporate into an integrated pest management method.
Nosema locustae is a pathogen of orthopterans with an unusually extensive host range. It is the only microsporidian that was developed as a microbial control agent. Nosema locustae is a microsporidium fungus that is used to kill caterpillars, grasshoppers, some corn borers, and crickets.
Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi, part of a group often called hyphomycetes, widespread in soil and associated with plants. Most species are harmless saprobes and are relatively rich members of the soil microbial population.
Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogen that infects a vast variety of insects and is used to control crop infestations by thrips, aphids, and whitefly. The fungus is cultured in solid state fermentation and formulations of its spores are sprayed on plants as a wettable powder or an emulsion.


Therefore the correct answer is Option A.

Note: In sorghum, NPV is highly efficient and the preferred product to manage Helicoverpa. NPV can persist for years in a secure environment like soil but is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, and high temperatures.