Ascoviruses, a family of large, double-stranded circular DNA viruses, exhibit high host specificity and pathogenicity, suggesting their significant potential in biocontrol. A hallmark characteristic of ascovirus infection in larvae is reduced feeding and retarded growth. However, the mechanisms by which ascoviruses regulate these effects remain largely unknown. Given their crucial role in regulating larval feeding, insect neuropeptides have attracted our attention in the context of ascovirus infection. During HvAV-3h infection in S. litura , the expression levels of neuropeptide F ( NPF ), inc...
