Both cytopathic and non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) induced autophagy at a similar rate.

•Both cytopathic and non-cytopathic BVDV induce autophagy in immortal as well as primary cells.•Immortal cells had higher autophagy as compare to primary cells.•Autophagy inhibiting drug, 3-methyladenine significantly reduced autophagy and viral replication. While autophagy inducing drug rapamycin significantly enhanced autophagy and viral replication.•Co-localization study showed that BVDV replicates in close associated with autophagosomes.•There was no significant difference between cp or ncp strains of BVDV in autophagosome formation.