Insects can survive without an adaptive immune system
Insects and other invertebrates lack an adaptive immune system and successfully survive by relying exclusively on innate immunity and immune priming.
The retrieved literature consistently confirms that insects lack an adaptive immune system and survive using solely innate immune mechanisms, physiological defenses, and immune priming.
Kurtz J, Andino R, Boraschi D, Contreras-Garduño J, Kachroo A, Khan I, Lanz Mendoza H, Mukherjee K, Peuß R, Ton J. Trained immunity and immune priming in plants and invertebrates.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.106597
Paper [4] discusses immune priming in invertebrates, which lack an adaptive immune system.
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David Schneider. Physiological integration of innate immunity. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199551354.003.0007
Paper [5] examines the physiological regulation of innate immunity in insects.
Wu-Chuang A, Laukaitis-Yousey HJ, Butnaru M, Mohr SE, Perrimon N, Pedra JHF. Decoding arthropod vector immunology through bona fide pathogens.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2025.03.004
Paper [7] analyzes arthropod vector immunophysiology and pathogen interactions.
Akula S, Wernersson S, Hellman L. Immunity: defense against infections essential for all living organisms.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1840774
Paper [9] states that invertebrate immunity relies almost entirely on innate defense mechanisms.
Makkar P, Singh CK, V N, Narang PK, Sodhi KK. Insect immunity unveiled: exploring the molecular and cellular defenses against microbial threats.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-026-04903-9
Paper [11] notes that insects rely exclusively on innate immunity to defend against microbial threats.
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