Benzylideneacetone, an eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitor enhances baculovirus pathogenicity in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

► Benzylideneacetone (BZA) inhibits phospholipase A2 to suppress biosynthesis of eicosanoids that mediate the immune response in insects. ► In response to AcMNPV, the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, developed red spots on the midgut epithelium. ► Viral infection was suppressed as the red spots on the epithelium developed. ► BZA inhibited the formation of the midgut red spots in a dose-dependent manner. ► BZA treatment resulted in significant enhancement of AcMNPV occlusion body pathogenicity to P. xylostella.