IZVLEČEKImunski sistem predstavlja enega izmed najbolj kompleksnih sistemov, saj nadzoruje interakcije med mikroorganizmi in gostitelji. Najbolj kompleksen imunski sistem imajo sesalci, vendar pa imajo tudi žuželke svoj imunski sistem in poznavanje le-tega ima posreden vpliv na ljudi. Težko je oceniti zdravstveni pomen in finančno breme škodljivih žuželk na ljudi. Ocenjuje se, da žuželke letno uničijo približno 15-18 % svetovne produkcije hrane, bolezni, ki jih prenašajo žuželke, pa so odgovorne za več milijonov smrti ljudi in domačih živali letno. To so razlogi, zakaj je že od konca 19. stoletja prejšnjega tisočletja imunski sistem žuželk predmet podrobnih raziskav, z namenom odkrivanja metod za biološki nadzor nad škodljivimi žuželkami. Namen tega prispevka je obravnavanje tematike in razjasnitev določenih pojmov v slovenskem jeziku, saj je slovensko izrazoslovje na področju imunskega obrambnega sistema nevretenčarjev pomanjkljivo. Ključne besede: imunski sistem žuželk, entomopatogene glive, imunske signalne poti, parazitizem ABSTRACTThe immune system is one of the most complex systems, as it controls the interactions between microorganisms and hosts. Mammals have the most complex immune system, however insects also have their immune system and improved knowledge of it has an indirect effect on human life quality. It is difficult to assess the health significance and financial burden of harmful insects on humans. It is estimated that insects annually destroy approximately 15-18 % of global food production; furthermore insect-borne diseases are responsible for millions of deaths of people and domestic animals annually. Immune system of insects has been the subject of detailed research since the end of the 19th century in order to discover practical methods for the biological control of harmful insects. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and clarify certain concepts in the Slovenian language, since the Slovenian terminology of invertebrate immune system is sometimes inadequate. Keywords: insect immune system, entomopathogenic fungi, immune signaling pathways, parasitism