polyhedrosis
/ˌpɑlihɪˈdroʊsɪs/
noun
- A viral disease that affects insects, especially caterpillars, causing the breakdown of body tissues.
- Polyhedrosis can spread quickly through a colony of silkworms, causing major losses.
- The farmer noticed that many caterpillars had died from polyhedrosis, which helped control the pest population.
- Scientists study polyhedrosis to develop natural pesticides that are safe for crops.