A new study published in Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection (2025) has revealed a promising eco-friendly strategy for combating one of the world’s most destructive crop pests — the American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera). Researchers from Pakistan, China, and Saudi Arabia found that combining a naturally occurring virus with a selective insecticide dramatically improved pest control efficiency without triggering resistance mechanisms.
The team evaluated the effectiveness of a native Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV) and five common insecticides against bollworm larvae. While SpltNPV and some chemicals achieved over 50% mortality individually, the most powerful results came when SpltNPV was combined with chlorantraniliprole in a 6:4 ratio. This mixture produced a co-toxicity factor of 35.9 and a synergistic index of 1.85, indicating a strong synergistic effect.
Importantly, enzymatic assays showed that the virus-insecticide combination did not significantly alter key detoxification enzymes such as CarE, GST, CYP450, or AChE. This means the treatment avoids activating the pest’s biochemical defense system, lowering the risk of future resistance development.
The study highlights the potential of viral-insecticide integration as a sustainable pest management strategy. By reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, farmers could protect cotton yields while minimizing environmental harm. The authors recommend field trials to validate these laboratory findings and emphasize that the approach aligns with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
Reference
Jafir, M., Ahmad, J. N., Tanwir, S., Abbas, M., Hafeez, F., Sabirb, M. A., Rehman, A., & Aldawood, A. S. (2025). Unveiling the synergistic potential of nucleopolyhedroviruses and insecticides against Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 132(6), 169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-025-01164-4
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