Establishment of a cell line derived from embryos of the potato tuber mothPhthorimaea operculella (Zeller)

Summary A cell line from the main insect pest of potatoes in tropical and subtropical areas,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), was obtained from embryoculture. These cells were cultured in Grace’s modified medium. The cell line, designated ORS-Pop-93, had a heterogeneous population consisting of spherical and spindle cells with great capacity to adhere and a doubling time of 40 h. They were subcultured for more than 60 passages. Their polypeptidic profile was different from profiles of other lepidopteran cell lines. The cell line supports the multiplication of theAutographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus.