الفيروسات الممرضة للحشرات : دراسة مرجعية

Abstract EN

The entomopathogenic viruses are considered biological control agents that can attack many harmful insect pests that belong to the order Lepidoptera, and they are classified in 15 families; Parvoviridae, Iridoviridae, Baculoviridae, Poxviridae, Polydnaviridae, Ascoviridae, Nodaviridae, Picornaviridae, Tetraviridae, Reoviridae, Birnaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae and Bunyaviridae.

These viruses are classified based on differences in structural, physico-chemical properties and morphological characteristics, in addition to genome organization.

The genome of these viruses is composed of either DNA (Deoxyvira), or RNA (Ribovira), with either single or double strands.

The shape of the virus particles can be isometric (e.g.

icosahedral), bacilliform or ovoid.

Having an envelope is a distinctive feature of some groups of these viruses.

In addition, many of these viruses can produce inclusion bodies, which differ in composition and shape, some are polyhedra, and others are granulin.

This review is intended to summarize the features of important families which include viruses that infect insect pests, and give an idea about their classification.

It also reflects on their potential uses as biological agents to control insect pests in the Arab region.