D.F. Hoffmann

Comparative activity of baculoviruses against the codling moth Cydia pomonella and three other tortricid pests of tree fruit

The granulovirus of Cydia pomonella (L.) (CpGV) offers potential for selective control of codling moth. Two major limitations of CpGV are its narrow host range and lack of persistence in the orchard agroecosystem. The nucleopolyhedroviruses of the alfalfa looper Autographa californica (Speyer) (AcMNPV) and those of the celery looper Anagrapha falcifera (Kirby) (AfMNPV) have broad host ranges. Comparative assays of CpGV, AcMNPV, and AfMNPV against codling moth neonate larvae revealed a 54-93-fold greater susceptibility of codling moth to the granulovirus than to the two nucleopolyhedroviruses based on the LC(50) values for each virus. The LC(50)s for CpGV, AfMNPV, and AcMNPV were 32.7 capsules/mm(2), 1.77 x 10(3) occlusion bodies (OBs)/mm(2), and 3.05 x 10(3)OBs/mm(2), respectively. The LT(50) determined for AfMNPV using an approximate LC(95) of the virus against neonate larvae was 3.6 days. Histological examination of tissues in moribund codling moth larvae that had been treated with AfMNPV revealed the presence of nonoccluded and unenveloped virus rods in midgut tissue. Neither OBs nor signs of infection were detected in other tissues. The activity of AfMNPV was also evaluated in three other tortricid apple pests (obliquebanded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris); Pandemis leafroller, Pandemis pyrusana Kearfott; and the oriental fruit moth, Grapholitha molesta (Busck)). Codling and Oriental fruit moths were significantly more susceptible to AfMNPV than were the two leafroller species.

Development of the Multi-nucleocapsid Nucleopolyhedroviruses (MNPVs) Infectious to Loopers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) as Microbial Control Agents

A number of the members of the Noctuidae (subfamily Plusiinae) are polyphagous insects that infest a variety of economically important crops world-wide. These hosts include but are not limited to cotton, vegetable and field crops and also such specialty crops as mint. Many of these crops require multiple applications of chemical pesticides to protect them from various loopers and other economic pests. One proposed alternative to the use of chemical pesticides to protect these crops is the development of insect-specific viruses of the family Baculoviridae. Hundreds of these viruses of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus have been isolated, many from economically important Lepidoptera. The advent of the discovery that some of these viruses may have a broad host range increased the interest in the development of them as microbial agents throughout the world. The broad host range (over 30 species in some cases) provided the possibility to control not only one species, but a complex of lepidopterous pests infesting specific or multiple crops. From the 1960s to the present, extensive basic and applied research has been conducted on the multi-nucleocapsid (MNPV) forms within which a broad host range appears to be characteristic. Of these, the virus isolated from the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica (Speyer) (AcMNPV) has been the most studied, particularly as related to microbial control. Two of the viruses isolated from loopers have been registered in the USA. Although efficacy has been demonstrated for loopers, there is a paucity of data on the other important species that may simultaneously infest looper hosts. Because of their relatively slow action, the viruses will probably be used in integrated programs with chemical pesticides applied during critical periods of high population pressure. Further research needs to be conducted to establish efficacy for other hosts, improved production methods either in vivo or in vitro, increased field persistence as related to timing and frequency of applications, and finally the utility of genetically engineered MNPVs as microbial pesticides. The potential of these organisms has been demonstrated and new developments are being made to increase the overall efficiency and economics of their use. These improvements can only increase interest in use of the baculoviruses in pest management systems for loopers and other pests.

Cross infection of a granulosis virus of Cadra cautella, with observations on its ultrastructure in infected cells of Plodia interpunctella☆

Abstract An earlier study showed that a granulosis virus of Plodia interpunctella did not cross-infect first-instar larvae of Cadra cautella. However, the study reported here showed P. interpunctella to be moderately susceptible to a similar virus originally isolated from C. cautella. Capsules in cross-infected P. interpunctella larvae were generally abnormal in form, some containing up to 18 virions. Associated rodlike structures that accompanied the C. cautella virus were always present in either infected host. An assay showed that the virus had retained its virulence to C. cautella after passage through P. interpunctella, and further examination showed that the virus developed normally when transmitted back to its natural host.

Pathogenicity of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the almond moth, Cadra cautella

Abstract Tests were conducted with neonate Cadra cautella larvae to determine the pathogenicity of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus. A bioassay on an agar base diet showed that concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, 2.00, and 4.00 polyhedra/mm2 killed 27, 55, 87, and 92% of the test larvae, respectively. A study of the time of death showed that most larvae died on the 9th or 10th day after exposure to 4 polyhedra/mm2 at 27°C. When larvae were exposed to 8, 16, 32, and 64 × 103 polyhedra/g of bran diet, recorded mortalities were 18, 22, 48, and 80%, respectively. All the samples of virus in bran diet which were incubated at various temperatures for 7, 14, and 28 days remained stable at all test conditions except the sample incubated at 42°C for 14 days, and those held at 37° and 42° for 28 days. Larvae of C. cautella, Plodia interpunctella, Ephestia elutella, and Paramyelois transitella placed on a diet with 40 × 103 polyhedra/g had mortalities of 75, 59, 16, and 4%, respectively. Light and electron microscopical examination of P. interpunctella cadavers showed that they were infected with a multiply occluded nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

The histology and ultrastructure of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella

Abstract A histological and ultrastructural study of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, was conducted. Polyhedral development was observed in nuclei of cells of the foregut, cardiac valve, midgut, pyloric valve, hindgut, Malpighian tubules, ganglia of the ventral nerve cord, muscle, tracheae, fat, and hypodermis. Observations made with the electron microscope suggest that virions from the gut lumen are transported in vesicles through the cytoplasm into the nuclei of the columnar cells. Here they are released, replicate, take on membrane, and ultimately become multiply occluded in polyhedral protein. Polyhedra observed in nuclei of other tissues appeared identical to those in the gut.

A granulosis virus of the almond moth, Cadra cautella

Abstract A study of the pathogenicity and ultrastructure of a previously unreported granulosis virus of the almond moth, Cadra cautella, was conducted. The pathogen was found to be highly virulent to first-instar larvae when transmitted perorally. Electron micrographs showed the probable sequence of virogenesis and encapsulation in fat cells of infected larvae. Rodlike structures apparently composed of capsular protein distinguished this virus from a similar pathogen of the Indian-meal moth.

Developmental stages and structure of a Rickettsiella in the navel orangeworm, Paramyelois transitella (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae)

Abstract Stages in the life cycle of a Rickettsiella are described. Uniformly dense primary cells bounded by single membranes were the earliest forms observed. Coarsely granular secondary cells with electron-dense nuclear equivalents and with 2 membrane boundaries differentiate within primary cells which form vesicles. Secondary cells multiply within vesicles and may give rise to inclusion bodies, or more frequently, may develop into long chains of smaller cells. The latter finally form the infective minute cells characteristic of terminal infections.

Histopathology and effect on development of the PhopGV on larvae of the potato tubermoth, Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Larvae of the potato tubermoth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella, feed on potato plants and tubers and are a major pest in the tropics and subtropics worldwide, causing up to 100% damage. The PTM granulovirus (PhopGV) provides significant potato protection, but little is known about its effect on larval development or its histopathology. Here we show that only 10% of larvae exited from PhopGV-treated tubers (1.4×10(8) granule/ml), lagging significantly behind controls, and most of these died by 72 h after emergence. Histopathology studies showed the fat body and epidermis were the principal tissues infected. PhopGV morphogenesis was similar to other GVs, the exception being small vesicles between mature granules.