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.     

Investigating the horizontal transmission of the Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) in a model system

Repeated applications of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) can effectively control the codling moth (CM) in apple orchards. However, it is still unknown whether horizontal transmission of the virus from infected to uninfected larvae contributes to the efficacy of the virus insecticide. Horizontal transmission of CpGV was assayed using detached apples. In experiments using artificially applied virus dots on the apple’s surface or infected CM larvae as virus inoculum, it was found that the likelihood of infection of healthy CM larvae relied mainly on the larval behavior. The amount of virus inoculum, either applied artificially or produced by the infected larvae, impacted the infection rate only to a small degree. In the experiments, CM larvae exhibited a strong preference in entry sites, increasing the chance for horizontal transmission. Depending on the experimental design, horizontal transmission rates of about 40% were observed in laboratory assays.     

The Role of Formulation Additives in Increasing the Potency of Cydia pomonella Granulovirus for Codling Moth Larvae,in Laboratory and Field Experiments

Studies were undertaken to improve the biological efficacy of the granulovirus (CpGV) of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella , by evaluating the performance of some formulation additives that might improve virus persistence and/or virus uptake by first instar larvae. Laboratory studies, using a leaf disc bioassay, demonstrated that 15% cane molasses incorporated within a formulation of purified CpGV dramatically reduced the median lethal exposure time (LET 50 ) to CpGV for neonate larvae at a CpGV dosage rate of 10 7 occlusion bodies (OBs) ml -1 . Screening of a range of other compounds showed that sucrose, fructose and sorbitol (at 10% concentrations) and extracts of apple flesh and skin also gave significant reductions in the LET 50 of CpGV formulations containing these ingredients. Pectin, malic acid and &#102 -farnesene did not significantly reduce the LET 50 . In a field trial, molasses included at 15% (v/v) in a CpGV formulation, containing a dosage rate of 10 12 OBs ha -1 , gave as good control of codling moth damage as virus formulations containing the 'sticker' 0.2% skimmed milk at higher dosage rates of 10 13 and 10 14 OBs ha -1 . Studies of CpGV persistence on foliage revealed no significant improvement of virus persistence on apple foliage using 10% or 15% molasses formulations. A second field trial demonstrated that 10% molasses, 10% sorbitol or 0.08% &#102 -farnesene significantly reduced codling moth deep damage to fruit when these ingredients were added to formulations of pure CpGV. Substantial sooty-mould growth ( Cladosporium spp.) was observed on apple foliage treated with formulations containing molasses, indicating that this formulation additive has secondary consequences that would need to be taken into account if molasses was to be used in commercial CpGV formulations. Nonetheless, these studies clearly demonstrate that major biological improvements in CpGV performance can be achieved by the incorporation of formulation additives, including molasses and several other compounds, that probably function as attractants and/or feeding stimulants for codling moth larvae.     

Uptake of Granulovirus from the Surface of Apples and Leaves by First Instar Larvae of the Codling Moth Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Olethreutidae)

Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) has received considerable attention as a potential microbial insecticide for the control of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) , a worldwide pest of apples. Laboratory experiments were established to investigate virus uptake by first instar larvae, using a novel leaf disc bioassay technique. Virus uptake was found to be independent of active feeding and larvae became infected simply by walking or browsing on sprayed leaf disc surfaces in as little time as 3.5 min. Infection increased as a function of time spent on the leaf disc surface and a linear log time/probit mortality relationship could be fitted. The bioassay technique used has potential for the realistic laboratory testing of virus spray formulations. A field experiment showed that virus infection could be contracted by newly hatched codling moth larvae both from the surface of sprayed leaves and sprayed fruit. The potential for exploiting this knowledge for improving spray formulations is discussed.     

The susceptibility of the pea moth, Cydia nigricana, to infection by the granulosis virus of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella

Laboratory studies demonstrated that neonate larvae of the pea moth, Cydia nigricana, are susceptible to infection with a granulosis virus (CpGV) isolated from the codling moth, Cydia pomonella. Comparative LC₅₀ values for C. nigricana and C. pomonella are 1.90 × 10⁵ and 1.54 × 10⁴ capsules/ml of diet, respectively. The virus extracted from CpGV-infected pea moth larvae is serologically related, and probably identical, to CpGV.     

Development of a direct test of baculovirus resistance in wild codling moth populations

The occurrence of resistance of codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella L.) to Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) used as biological control agent revealed the need for fast and reliable resistance monitoring methods. Here, we describe the development of a laboratory resistance test that is directly performed on larvae extracted from infested apples. This test is based on a 14‐day bioassay at a discriminative CpGV concentration of 2 × 10⁵ occlusion bodies/ml diet and can be applied to L1–L4 larvae. Information on virus resistance can be obtained within <4 weeks. In a survey, CM larvae were isolated and tested from 6698 apples from 10 different orchards in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands. We identified seven CM populations resistant or partly resistant to CpGV isolates. Although some of the orchards were treated with commercial CpGV products, this method allowed us to obtain reliable information about the resistance status of the examined populations.     

A model of the effect of codling moth granulosis virus on Cydia pomonella

A model was developed based on an initial ingestion phase, followed by a period of virus multiplication and host death, to describe the effects of codling moth granulosis virus (CpGV) concentration and time from initial infection on the percentage of codling moth larvae (Cydia pornonella) dying from virus infection in the laboratory. With modification, this model also described the effect of CpGV concentration on the reduction of damage to fruit by C. pomonella larvae in the field. In both cases, the effect of CpGV increased with the l/10th power of virus concentration. LT₅₀ (time to death of 50% of larvae) was inversely related to virus concentration in the laboratory. The model predicts the threshold concentration for death of larvae, as well as LD₅₀(C₅₀ and LD₉₀(C ₉₀,) for all ages of larvae. The model also predicts that if the majority of larvae entered through the sides of apple fruits, rather than through the calyx or near the stalk (as they probably did in the field), then the efficacy of CpGV in reducing fruit damage would be lowered. This effect of site of entry is especially marked at low virus concentrations.     

Characterisation of Cydia pomonella granulovirus from codling moths in a laboratory colony and in orchards of British Columbia*

Sequence analyses indicate that a granulovirus isolated from a laboratory colony of codling moth in British Columbia, Canada is identical or very similar to the Mexican isolate of Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV-M). In addition to codling moth, the vims was found to cause mortality of secondary leafroller pests of North American orchards, including the fruit tree leafroller and the obliquebanded leafroller. A survey in apple growing regions of British Columbia indicates that 23% of the wild population of codling moth larvae carry CpGV.     

Fruit Bins Washed with Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) to Control Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

A bin washing apparatus (drencher) was used to treat late-instar codling moth, Cydia pomonella Linnaeus-infested wooden fruit bins with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae . Sentinel late-instar codling moth larvae were placed in strips of wood, made from dismantled bins, that were subsequently screwed into the corners of real bins before treatment. Pre-soaking the bins with water prior to treatment and covering the bins with a plastic tarp post-treatment, to maintain a high humidity, significantly increased sentinel codling moth mortality. Treatment for 1 min with 50 S. carpocapsae infective juveniles mL -1 water resulted in more than 80% mortality over 6 h in which the nematodes were continuously pumped through the drencher. The temperature of the water in the bin washer was ≤15°C and the chlorine in the city water was too low to harm the nematodes. The key disadvantage of washing the bins was the labour involved. It may be possible to reduce post-treatment holding time and increase codling moth mortality by holding the bins at a higher temperature post-treatment, however this parameter was not included in the study. The presence of the codling moth granulosis virus within the larvae did not influence the nematode-induced codling moth mortality over a range of concentrations and two temperatures in laboratory trials.     

Sex linkage of CpGV resistance in a heterogeneous field strain of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.)

The occurrence of codling moth populations in European apple orchards that were not controlled by Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) is the first reported case of field resistance against a baculovirus control agent. A monogenic dominant sex-linked mode of inheritance was previously demonstrated in single-pair crosses between a homogeneous resistant (CpRR1) and a susceptible (CpS) laboratory strain of codling moth. However, resistant field populations (CpR) are more heterogeneous in their levels of resistance, and the possibility that they could harbor different resistance genes to CpRR1 had not been directly addressed. Here we report single pair crossing experiments using a resistant codling moth strain collected from an apple orchard in the southwest of Germany. Single-pair crosses within the field strain revealed a genetic basis to the heterogeneity of CpR concerning CpGV resistance. Hybrid crosses to a susceptible laboratory strain and backcrosses of the F1 generation to the resistant CpR strain confirmed that the homogeneous CpRR1 and the heterogeneous field strain CpR share the same mode of inheritance. Thus the variable levels of CpGV resistance in field populations is likely due to frequency differences of the same resistance-conferring gene, rather than different genes, which will facilitate future efforts to monitor and manage resistance.     

Evaluation of spray-dried lignin-based formulations and adjuvants as solar protectants for the granulovirus of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L)

Commercial formulations of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., granulovirus (CpGV) are limited by their short residual activity under orchard conditions in the Pacific Northwest. We evaluated spray-dried lignin-encapsulated formulations of CpGV for improved solar stability based on laboratory bioassays with a solar simulator and in field tests in an infested apple orchard. In laboratory tests, aqueous lignin formulations containing a high dosage of 3 x 10(10) occlusion bodies (OB)/L, with and without the additives titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and sugar, provided significant solar protection of virus, i.e., mortality of codling moth exposed to lignin formulations that had been irradiated with 9.36 x 10(6) joules/m(2) was 92-94%, compared with 66-67% from a glycerin-stabilized product (Cyd-X) or suspension of pure unformulated virus at the same rates. By comparison, a lower dosage of the lignin formulation (3 x 10(8)OB/L) did not provide significant solar protection. Equivalent dosage-dependent patterns in solar protection were observed in further tests with the lignin formulation, when an intermediate (3 x 10(9)OB/L) as well as the low dosage provided no solar protection. Equivalent rates of a blank lignin formulation (containing no virus) did not affect larval mortality, suggesting a protective effect of the lignin on the virus at the high rate. The use of several spray adjuvants, 'NuFilm-17' and 'Organic Biolink' (sticker-spreaders at 0.06% v/v), 'Raynox' (sunburn protectant at 5% v/v), and 'Trilogy'(neem oil at 1% v/v) did not provide solar protection of a commercial CpGV preparation in laboratory tests. In season long orchard tests (Golden Delicious), the lignin formulation of CpGV applied at 6.57 x 10(12)OB/ha did not significantly improve control of codling moth or protection of fruit compared with Cyd-X at equivalent rates. Our studies show that lignin-based CpGV formulations provided solar protection at relatively high virus dosages. The testing of lignin formulations containing reduced virus concentrations may allow virus solar protection to be achieved at more economical rates.     

Studies of transovum and transstadial transmission of a granulosis virus of the codling moth

Capsules of a granulosis virus of the codling moth were never found in codling moth eggs, although they were observed in the larval, pupal, and adult stages. However, eggs obtained from a British Columbia codling moth colony were found to have virus on the egg surface.Transstadial transmission of the virus from the larval to the pupal stage occasionally occurred after intact capsules had been inoculated per os into the larva. The virus was also occasionally transmitted from the pupal to the adult stage, but only after virions had been injected into the hemocoel of the pupa.Fertile eggs obtained from virus-injected insects were not shown to contain active virus. Eggs were tested by maceration in antiserum, by the fluorescent-antibody technique, and by bioassay of their contents.Only one larva of the F₁ and F₂ generations obtained from virus-injected insects succumbed to granulosis even when the larvae were exposed to various types of stressors.Circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis of transovum transmission, but such transmission cannot be attributed to injections of virus into larvae and pupae in this study.     

Codling moth granulosis virus: effects of its use on some other orchard arthropods

In four field trials from 1978 to 1980, sprays of codling moth granulosis virus (CpGV) plus 1·0% skimmed milk powder did not significantly affect damage to fruit by leaf rollers (tortrix moths). In laboratory tests, survival of larvae of the leaf roller Archips podana fed on leaves sprayed with CpGV plus milk was unaffected and they grew faster than on unsprayed leaves, because of the milk deposits. This might increase damage by A. podana if CpGV plus milk were applied during the feeding period of this species. In one field trial an unusual infestation of fruit by larvae of pith moth Blastodacna atra was not affected by CpGV. Azinphos-methyl significantly reduced damage by B. atru and, in one field trial where sprays were correctly timed, that by leaf rollers. CpGV had no consistently significant effects on numbers of fruit tree red spider mite Panonychus ulmi or its predators, whereas azinphos-methyl induced outbreaks of P. ulmi by killing its predators.     

苹果蠹蛾抗药性研究进展

苹果蠹蛾是世界各国高度关注的严重危害苹果生产的外来有害生物。该虫于20世纪50年代在我国首次报道,目前是我国一类进境检疫性有害生物,正严重威胁我国苹果主产区的水果生产安全。苹果蠹蛾以幼虫钻蛀到果实内部为害,防治难度高,对其主要采用化学农药、交配干扰和苹果蠹蛾颗粒体病毒进行防治。由于农药的长期大量使用,苹果蠹蛾已对有机磷、氨基甲酸酯、拟除虫菊酯、昆虫生长调节剂、阿维菌素和苹果蠹蛾颗粒体病毒等不同类型的杀虫剂产生了抗药性。本文总结了国内外有关苹果蠹蛾抗药性现状和抗药性机理方面的研究,并分析了其对几种农药产生抗性的主要原因,同时结合国外苹果蠹蛾防治和抗药性相关研究,以及其在我国发生与防治的现状,提出该虫抗药性治理策略,即及时对我国疫区苹果蠹蛾的抗药性现状进行监测,在此基础上,注意科学地使用化学农药,并结合农业防治和生物防治等措施对该虫进行综合治理。     

Evaluation of the pear ester kairomone as a formulation additive for the granulovirus of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in pome fruit

(E,Z) -2,4-decadienoate (pear ester) is a larval kairomone for the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Orchard studies were conducted in 2005 and 2006 in apple, Malus domestica Borkhausen, and pear, Pyrus communis L., to evaluate a 5% active ingredient (AI), microencapsulated formulation of pear ester (PE-MEC) as an insecticidal additive for the codling moth granulovirus (CpGV). Although CpGV applied at 5-15-d intervals at commercial rates (2.2 X 10(12)-10(13) granules per ha) killed the majority (82-94%) of larvae found inside infested fruit, it did not eliminate significant damage, i.e., 30-92% fruit injury at harvest versus 51-82% in controls. PE-MEC treatments had significant but inconsistent results in our tests. In apple (mixed cultivars), PE-MEC (3.7-4.7 g [AI] /ha) plus CpGV reduced the percentage of fruit injured during the second but not the first larval generation, compared with CpGV alone, but there no was no additional population reduction (live larvae collected from infested fruit and tree bands). In 'Bartlett' pear, PE-MEC (3.7 g [AI] /ha) plus CpGV significantly increased larval mortality and reduced deep fruit entries at harvest over CpGV alone in 2006, but similar improvements were not observed in 2005 when a lower rate (1.5 g [AI] /ha) was tested. Surprisingly, compared with untreated controls, the PE-MEC formulation alone also reduced fruit injury (mid-season in Bartlett) and larval survivorship inside infested fruit at harvest (2006 apple tests and both years in Bartlett). Although pear ester seems amenable as a kairomonal adjuvant for use with insecticides, our inconsistent data with CpGV in apple and pear suggest practical improvements in formulation and application strategies (e.g., to optimize and maintain attractive release rates) are needed.     

New method for testing solar sensitivity of commercial formulations of the granulovirus of codling moth (Cydia pomonella, Tortricidae: Lepidoptera)

A method for screening codling moth granulovirus (CpGV) formulation sensitivity to sunlight using specially prepared half apples and a solar simulator is described. The half apple preparation allows an even coverage of virus over the surface of the fruit that would not be possible using whole apples. Leaves and artificial medium were not usable for extended periods of exposure in the solar simulator due to excess drying. Fruit was sprayed with 10⁻³ and 10⁻⁵ dilutions of three commercial formulations of CpGV (Carpovirusine, Cyd-X, and Virosoft) and infested with codling moth neonates. Half of the sprayed fruit was exposed to 650 W/m² for 4 h in an Atlas Suntest CPS solar simulator resulting in an accumulated radiant energy of 9.36 × 10⁶ J/m² before they were infested with neonate codling moth larvae. Spraying non-irradiated fruit with the 10⁻³ dilution of Cyd-X and Virosoft resulted in nearly 100% mortality of neonate larvae. Irradiation reduced viral activity by 71-98% at the 10⁻³ dilution and by up to 32% at the 10⁻⁵ dilution relative to non-irradiated fruit. The procedures utilized enabled good preservation of the fruit throughout the incubation period and minimized invasion of the fruit by plant pathogens and saprophytic organisms. This laboratory method for screening candidate formulations and potential UV protectants could conserve time and resources by eliminating adjuvants with less potential in laboratory tests and field testing only the most promising candidates. It also enables year-round testing.     

Overwintering of codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae in apple harvest bins and subsequent moth emergence.

Codling moths, Cydia pomonella (L.), have long been suspected of emerging from stacks of harvest bins in the spring and causing damage to nearby apple and pear orchards. With increased use of mating disruption for codling moth control, outside sources of infestation have become more of a concern for growers using pheromone based mating disruption systems. Studies were designed to provide information on bins as a source of codling moth and the pattern of codling moth emergence from stacks of bins. In these studies, codling moth larvae colonized wood harvest bins at a much higher frequency than harvest bins made of injection molded plastic (189 moths emerged from wood compared with five from plastic). There was no statistical difference in the number of moths infesting bins that had been filled with infested fruit compared with bins left empty at harvest. This suggests that codling moth enter the bins during the time that the bins are in the orchard before harvest. Emergence of laboratory reared adult codling moth from wood bins placed in stacks was found to be prolonged compared with field populations. Temperature differences within the bin stacks accounted for this attenuated emergence pattern. Covering bin stacks with clear plastic accelerated codling moth development in the upper levels of the stack. Codling moth emergence patterns from plastic-covered stacks more closely coincided with male flight in field populations. This information could be important in developing a technique for neutralizing codling moth-infested bins, and in understanding how infested bins may influence pest management in fruit orchards that are located near bin piles. Implications for control of codling moth in conventional orchards and in those using mating disruption as the principal component of an integrated pest management system include increased numbers of treatments directed at areas affected by infested bins.     

Host rearing is a bottleneck for classical biological control of the cherry bark tortrix: A comparative analysis of artificial diets

This paper describes a comparative analysis of the suitability of three artificial diets for the development of the cherry bark tortrix (CBT), Enarmonia formosana Scopoli (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to simplify the rearing process for this species and its potential classical biological control agents. The three diets tested included (1) a pinto bean-based diet modified specifically for the CBT, (2) the diet for codling moth, Cydia pomonella Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and (3) the Singh general-purpose diet. Survival from first instar to the pupal stage was very low on the pinto bean, codling moth, and Singh general-purpose diets (29, 0, and 0%, respectively). Survival was consistently greater, yet still low, for larvae that were reared through the first instar on bark and subsequently transferred to the codling moth or Singh general-purpose diets (5 and 32%, respectively). In comparison, larvae started on the pinto bean diet as second instars had a survival rate of 90%, only slightly below that of sibling larvae from the cherry bark control group (100%). Larval development time was fastest on cherry bark (36±2?days), differing significantly from that on the pinto bean diet (started as first instars: 58±2?days; started as second instars: 46±2?days), but not from the development time of larvae on the Singh general-purpose diet (44±3?days). Pupal weights were greatest for specimens from the Singh general-purpose diet (14.9±0.5?mg) and lowest for those from the pinto bean diet (started as first instar: 12.3±0.6?mg; started as second instar: 12.1±0.4?mg). Pupal weights from cherry bark were intermediate (13.5±0.6?mg). Early mortality, resulting primarily from rejection of the diet, remains to be the critical impediment in CBT rearing. It is therefore suggested that a phagostimulant from cherry bark be identified and included in an artificial diet shown to be nutritionally suitable, such as the Singh general-purpose diet or the pinto bean diet.     

Field trials of CpGV virus isolates overcoming resistance to CpGV-M

The Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) has been used for many years as biological agent for codling moth control in apple orchards. Resistance to the Mexican strain of CpGV was detected in orchards in Germany, France and Italy. A laboratory insect colony was started from insects collected in a French resistant orchard. It was named RGV. Various virus isolates were identified as active against this resistant insect colony. Field tests were carried out in 2007 to test if the two virus isolates CpGV-I12 and NPP-R1 were effective in the field. Although these virus isolates were not able to reduce insect caused fruit damages, they significantly reduced the overwintering insect populations. NPP-R1 was subjected to eight passages on RGV larvae (NPP-R1.8) that improved its biological activity on RGV larvae. 2008 field trials were set up to test this improved virus strain, compared to CpGV-I12 and Madex plus active on RGV. These tests confirmed the ability to control both in susceptible and resistant insect populations.     

Evaluation of lignins and particle films as solar protectants for the granulovirus of the codling moth,Cydia pomonella

The identification of effective solar protectants for field application of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), granulovirus (CpGV) is of interest to improve its efficacy and commercial viability as a biological pesticide. We evaluated several materials as potential adjuvants to protect CpGV from ultraviolet degradation. In laboratory tests with a solar simulator (9.36×10⁶ J/m²), the addition of kaolin clay (Surround® WP at 3 and 6%, w/v), a paraffin wax-based emulsion (SPLAT? at 5%, v/v), and a bark extract trans-cinnamaldehyde combined with a film agent (both at 1%, v/v) did not significantly reduce larval entries or increase larval mortality in irradiated apples that were treated with a commercial CpGV product (Cyd-X). In semi-field tests in an apple orchard, a spray-dried lignin formulation containing CpGV (6.57×10¹² OBs/ha) and a lignin-based adjuvant used with Cyd-X (both applied at 4.7–5.6 kg lignin/ha) significantly improved residual activity of CpGV compared with Cyd-X alone applied at the same rate. However, the benefits were short lived and could not be detected after 7 days. In orchard tests, we evaluated two additional refined lignin-products (Lignosulfonate and Vanisperse? CB at 5.61 kg/ha) and two particle film materials (kaolin clay, ‘Cocoon?’, and calcium with boron ‘Eclipse?’) as adjuvants for UV protection of Cyd-X (6.57×10¹² OBs/ha) in tests against a dense codling moth infestation. Although all virus treatments were highly effective (causing ≥90% larval mortality), no significant effects of the adjuvant treatments could be detected. In these latter tests, the use of a silicone based wetting agent at 0.025% (v/v) may have been beneficial at increasing mortality among older larvae inside the fruit.