Dosage-mortality and time-mortality responses of the armyworm Spodoptera exempta to a nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Third-instar Spodoptera exempta larvae were fed on young maize leaves treated with 20 μl of polyhedral inclusion body (PIB) suspension of concentrations that varied from 1.6 × 10² to 1.6 × 10⁹ PIBs/ml. Daily observations were kept on mortality rates. A probit analysis on the results gave an LD₅₀ value of 48.4 PIBs/larva (lower and upper fiducial limits 39.2 and 59.4 PIBs/larva, respectively), and an LT₅₀ that varied from 146.2 to 221.3 hr, depending on the dosage. LD and LT values obtained show the high pathogenicity of S. exempta nuclear polyhedrosis virus to its host.     

Effect of Host Plant on the Infectivity of Sl MNPV to Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

The susceptibility of Spodoptera litura to SlMNPV infection was markedly affected by phyto-chemicals ingested during the acquisition of viral inoculum on foliage of tomato and cauliflower. The LD₅₀ values computed for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 254, 819 and 23395 PIBs/larva, respectively whereas, it was 326, 1719 and 43843 PIBs/larva for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves. Thus LD₅₀ values for second, third and fourth instar larvae were 1.28-, 2.09- and 1.87- fold lower, respectively in tomato leaves. Similarly, LT₅₀ values for second, third and fourth instar larvae assayed on tomato leaves were 7.1 and 7.5 days, respectively at inoculum dose of 2.7×10⁴ PIBs/larva whereas, it was 7.7 and 8.0 days for respective instars when assayed on cauliflower leaves at same inoculum. This result also showed that the S. litura were more susceptible on tomato leaves in comparison to cauliflower leaves as the time required for mortality was lower in tomato leaves. The possible biochemical bases for differential level of mortality of S. litura larvae on tomato and cauliflower crops needs to be investigated.     

Susceptibility of larvae of Trichoplusia ni and Anticarsia gemmatalis to intrahemocoelic injections of conidia and blastospores of Nomuraea rileyi

The LD₅₀ for larvae of Trichoplusia ni injected with blastospores of Nomuraea rileyi was 4.30 ± 1.16 hyphal bodies/larva; the LD₅₀ for injected conidia was ca. 25,000 conidia/larva. The dose-mortality regression line for blastospores was Y = 4.6504 + 0.5487 X. Larval mortalities of Anticarsia gemmatalis and T. ni at 100 blastospores/larva were 0.4 ± 0.5% and 96.7 ± 1.9%, respectively. At a dosage of 25,000 conidia/larva, larval mortalities for A. gemmatalis and T. ni were 0.4 ± 0.5% and 43.1 ± 8.7%, respectively. Thus, larvae of A. gemmatalis were > 100 times and >200 times more resistant to injected conidia and blastospores, respectively, than were larvae of T. ni. Resistance of A. gemmatalis to N. rileyi may not be solely at the integumental barrier, as is often believed, but may also be a function of an internal physiological response.     

Role of the exoprotease InA in the pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis in pupae of Hyalophora cecropia

Two geographical biotypes of Nomuraea rileyi (from Ecuador and the United States) were topically bioassayed against seven lepidopteran species, i.e., Anticarsia gemmatalis, Heliothis zea, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis subflexa, Pseudoplusia includens, Spodoptera exigua, and Trichoplusia ni. There was an average difference of 1.7-fold in mortality in how cultures of the same insect species from different sources responded to topical applications of either biotype of N. rileyi. Regression equations and LC₅₀ values were obtained for each insect species and fungal biotype combination. Larvae of S. exigua were equally susceptible to both biotypes of N. rileyi. Although larvae of A. gemmatalis were moderately susceptible to the Ecuadoran biotype, they were relatively nonsusceptible to the Mississippian biotype. Species of Heliothis (H. zea, H. virescens, and H. subflexa) were about equally susceptible to the Mississippian biotype. Larvae of H. subflexa and H. virescens, however, were significantly less susceptible than H. zea to the Ecuadoran biotype. When the integumental barrier was breached via intrahemocoelic injections, larvae of H. virescens were as susceptible as H. zea larvae to blastospores of either biotype of N. rileyi.     

Infectivity of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus from the alfalfa looper,Autographa californica,after passage through alternate hosts

A nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolated from the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica, was found to infect several species of caterpillars including the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni; the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua; and the saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea. Studies were therefore conducted to determine the quantitative effects of passage through the alternate hosts, S. exigua and E. acrea, on the infectivity of this virus to newly hatched first-instar cabbage looper larvae. When 11 preparations of polyhedra obtained from a like number of primary passages through the original or alternate hosts were assayed and the mortality at 7-, 10-, and 14-day intervals were subjected to probit analysis, the LD₅₀s for the three intervals differed but those for the preparations at any given interval did not. Therefore, any of the three hosts could be used to propagate the virus, and whichever proves the easiest to rear and provides the highest yields of polyhedra can be selected.     

Bioassay of a nucleopolyhedrosis virus of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar

The pathogenicity of an American isolate of the nucleopolyhedrosis virus of Porthetria dispar was studied. Laboratory data on third-instar larvae showed that mortality was directly related to virus concentration. The computed LD₅₀ was 1,729 PIBs/larva or 72 PIBs/mg larval body weight. The LT₅₀'s for 2.5 × 10⁶, 2.5 × 10⁵, 2.5 × 10⁴, 5 × 10³, and 2.5 × 10³ PIBs/larva were 8.1, 9.9, 11.3, 12.2, and 13.1 days, respectively. Approximately 37 and 60% of the total larval mortality occurred during the third- and fourth-instar, respectively. The periods to pupation and the pupal weights of survivors apparently were not affected by virus concentration. Moth emergence from surviving pupae was not reduced.     

Selection for resistance to a nucleopolyhedrosis virus in laboratory populations of the cotton bollworm, Heliothis zea

Resistance to a nucleopolyhedrosis virus (Baculovirus heliothis) did not develop in laboratory populations of the cotton bollworm, Heliothis zea. A selection pressure of LD₅₀ to 70 was maintained throughout 20 to 25 generations of selection. No significant changes in LD₅₀, slope, or intercept of dose-mortality lines were detected. Laboratory populations under selection were as susceptible to the virus as nonselected or wild populations of H. zea. The resistance ratio (LD₅₀ of selected generation/initial generation) ranged from 0.5 to 1.2.     

A synchronous peroral technique for the bioassay of insect viruses

A relatively fast and simple peroral technique for the bioassay of insect viruses is described in which newly hatched larvae ingest a uniform volume of virus suspension. Three isolates of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and one isolate of the Heliothis zea NPV were used to test the procedure with Trichoplusia ni and H. zea larvae, respectively. Within-assay and between-assay variation was very low with coefficients of variation averaging 0.012 ± 0.006 and 0.20 ± 0.04 for time-mortality and dose-mortality tests, respectively. The synchronous uptake of virus removed the acquisition-time component of the LT₅₀ values while the constant volume improved the accuracy of LD₅₀ values. The procedure was shown to be suitable for a wide variety of lepidopterous species, including Spodoptera frugiperda, S. eridania, Estigmene acrea, Plutella xylostella, Choristoneura fumiferana, Ostrinia nubilalis, Plodia interpunctella, and Pieris rapae.     

A new virus associated with the parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Replication in noctuid host larvae

A nonoccluded filamentous baculo-like virus occurred in scattered hypodermal and tracheal matrix cells of five species of noctuid larvae (Spodoptera frugiperda, S. exigua, S. ornithogalli, Heliothis zea, and Trichoplusia ni) parasitized by Cotesia (= Apanteles) marginiventris. Infected cells and their nuclei were moderately hypertrophied. Infected cells contained prominent virogenic stromata, fibrous cytoplasmic inclusions, and moderate numbers of a filamentous virus. Virions were 50–98 nm in diameter, ≥865 nm in length, and straight to slightly flexuous. Nucleocapsids were 30–39 nm in diameter with a core 21–24 nm in diameter, and were enclosed by one or two envelopes. Nucleocapsids occurred in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm. Enveloped nucleocapsids were restricted to the cytoplasm.     

Factors affecting pathogenicity of NPV preparations to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera

Pathogenicity ofHeliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HSNPV) to the corn earworm,Heliothis armigera, was studied using 3 different inoculative methods. The LD50 values of 4^th-instar larvae inoculated with corn-fed, diet-fed and inoculum-imbiding method were 1.85×10⁶, 2.55×10⁵ and 1,22×10³ PIBs/larva, respectively. The inoculum-imbiding is more sensitive and convenient for inoculatingH. armigera with HSNPV. The HSNPV product, Elcar^®, was highly pathogenic toH. armigera, the LD50 values of 2^nd-, 3^rd- and 4^th-instar larvae being 27, 83 and 1,221 PIBs/larva, respectively, as measured by the inoculum-imbiding method. The mortality of 4^th-instar larvae caused by HSNPV was increased, but the incubation period was shortened with higher incubation temperatures. However, the high temperature at 35°C caused a lower mortality, and a prolongation of the median lethal time (LT50). Stability and persistence of HSNPV preparations were better in January–February and April–May than in June–July and October–November periods when sprayed on corn silks under field conditions. The HSNPV was inactivated by weak alkaline dew (pH 8.1) collected from soybean leaves, but it remained active on those from corn, tomato and asparagus with pH 7.2–7.3. The artificial heavy rainfall of 242 mm/h for 30 min did not wash off HSNPV preparations sprayed on the corn silks.     

Susceptibility of Hyphantria cunea to a granulosis virus isolated from Diacrisia virginica

The dosage-mortality response of Hyphantria cunea larvae to a granulosis virus isolated from Diacrisia virginica was studied. Serial decimal dilutions of the D. virginica granulosis virus were fed to early second-instar H. cunea larvae. the LD₅₀ for this virus (7.9 × 10⁵ capsules/larva) was significantly greater than the LD₅₀ calculated for the H. cunea granulosis virus (7.06 × 10⁴ capsules/larva) against the same instar of H. cunea. Time mortality studies demonstrated that the LT₅₀ values for the D. virginica granulosis were four to six times greater than for comparable dosages of H. cunea granulosis virus. Based on the mortality response of assayed H. cunea, it is possible to distinguish between the D. virginica granulosis virus and the H. cunea granulosis virus.     

Susceptibility of Heliothis armiger to a commercial nuclear polyhedrosis virus

The susceptibility of Heliothis armiger larvae of different ages to a commercial nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), Elcar, was determined by bioassay. The median lethal dosage (LD₅₀) increased 150-fold during the first week of larval life at 25°C, i.e., during development to early fourth instar, but daily feeding rate and thus potential virus acquisition also increased. A linear relationship was determined between log LD₅₀ and larval length, indicating that larval length constitutes a useful index for estimating the susceptibility of larval populations. Median lethal times (LT₅₀s) were similar for larvae tested at ages of 0 to 7 days and ranged from 3.6 to 8.0 days at 30°C. The amount of virus produced in a single, infected neonate was equivalent to 1.4 × 10⁶ LD₅₀s for neonates, a 900,000-fold increase on the dose supplied. The data support the practice of directing the NPV against neonates, but, on the basis of larval susceptibility alone, the age of larvae at treatment may not always be critical.     

保幼激素类似物对斜纹夜蛾核多角体病毒增殖的影响

分别用5×10⁶,1×10⁷,5×10⁷,1×10⁸ PIBs/mL 4种浓度的斜纹夜蛾核多角体病毒(SpltNPV)感染斜纹夜蛾末龄幼虫（第6龄）,并于同龄期以10μg/头的保幼激素类似物(JHA) methoprene分别对各感染组进行点滴处理,以研究JHA对SpltNPV增殖的影响。研究表明,与对照组相比各不同浓度处理组病毒总产量分别提高227.06%、128.71%、52.62%、33.15%,平均单头病毒含量分别提高49.15%、48.40%、36.40%和31.11%,病毒感染死亡率分别提高119.21%、52.72%、12.64%和1.12%。其中以1×10.7 PIBs/mL感染再经JHA处理的病毒总产量和平均单头病毒含量最高,分别为1 701.8×10⁸PIBs和60.1×10⁸ PIBs。各处理组的病毒总产量和平均单头病毒含量均显著高于其对照组。在此基础上,进一步研究了JHA对染毒与未染毒宿主消化生理的影响。结果表明,JHA处理不仅延长了6龄幼虫的寿命,增加了其取食量,而且还显著提高了幼虫的食物转化率和病毒产量。     

Effect of the interaction between Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus and Epinotia aporema granulovirus,on A. gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae

The bean shoot borer Epinotia aporema Wals. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and the velvet bean caterpillar Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are key pests of soybean and other legume crops in South America. They are often found simultaneously in certain regions. A. gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is widely used to control A. gemmatalis. More recently, E. aporema granulovirus (EpapGV) has been characterized and evaluated as a bioinsecticide for E. aporema. In order to increase its potential use and to design optimized strategies for the management of lepidopteran pests, we evaluated the interaction between EpapGV and AgMNPV on third instar A. gemmatalis larvae. Larvae fed with 50 AgMNPV OBs/larva showed an increase in the mortality rates (from 42% to 81%) and a decrease in the median survival time (from 7.7 days to 5.7 days) when these OBs were mixed with 6000 EpapGV OBs/larva. When 300 AgMNPV OBs/larva were used alone or in combination with EpapGV OBs no changes in biological parameters were observed. No mortality was detected in A. gemmatalis larvae treated with EpapGV alone. In larvae fed with the viral mixtures, only AgMNPV DNA was detected by PCR. A. gemmatalis peritrophic membranes (PMs) examined by SDS–PAGE and scanning electron microscopy showed signs of damage. Notably, we found the presence of spheroidal bodies associated with damaged areas in the PMs of larvae fed with EpapGV but not in those that were given AgMNPV alone. These results show that EpapGV increases the viral potency of AgMNPV, and thus the insecticidal efficiency, suggesting that the use of formulations including both viruses might be a valuable tool for pest management.     

Dosage-mortality and time-mortality studies of a granulosis virus in a laboratory strain of the codling moth,Laspeyresia pomonella

Different doses of a granulosis virus were administered to first- and fifth-instar larvae of the codling moth Laspeyresia pomonella. Virus was very pathogenic for both larval instars. The LD₅₀ values for first- and fifth-instar larvae were 5 and 49 capsules/larva, respectively. However, fifth-instar larvae were much more variable in their response to virus than first-instar larvae. Using probit methods it was calculated that 1 capsule could cause death in about 25% of both larval instars but 1578 capsules were required to cause 70% mortality of fifth-instar larvae as compared to 12 capsules for first-instar larvae. This is the first report of a decided difference in variability of response to virus by two larval instars of the same species. A bimodal response by both larval instars was observed in time-mortality studies. Apparently, about 20% of the larvae were very resistant to virus infections.     

A Comparison of Growth and Development of Three Major Agricultural Insect Pests Infected with Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h)

Ascoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that are pathogenic to lepidopteran hosts, particularly noctuid larvae. Infection of a larva is characterized by retarded growth, reduced feeding and yellowish body color. In this paper, we reported the growth and development of three major agricultural noctuid insect pests, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) and Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), infected with Heliothis virescens ascovirus 3h (HvAV-3h). Using 10-fold serial dilutions (0 to 7) of HvAV-3h-containing hemolymph to infect S. litura larvae, we found no significant difference in larval mortalities from 0 to 10³-fold dilutions; however, significant differences were observed at 10⁴-fold dilution and above. Using a 10-fold dilution of HvAV-3h-containing hemolymph to infect H. armigera, S. exigua and S. litura larvae, we found that the growth and development were significantly affected. All infected larvae could not pupate; the survival times of treated H. armigera, S. litura and S. exigua larvae were significantly longer than untreated control larvae. Body weight showed significant difference between treated and untreated control group from day 1 after inoculation in H. armigera and S. exigua, but day 2 in S. litura. Additionally, food intake also showed significant difference between treated and untreated control group from day 2 after inoculation in H. armigera and S. litura, but day 3 in S. exigua.     

Pathology of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of the alfalfa looper in alternate hosts

The symptomatology and histopathology of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolated from a larva of the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica, was studied by examining 13 tissues in the original and following alternate hosts: cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni; beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua; saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea; corn carworm, Heliothis zea; cotton leafperforator, Bucculatrix thurberiella; and diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. In all hosts, the hypodermal, tracheal matrix, and fat body cells were infected. Other tissues infected in some hosts included the Malpighian tubules, muscle, hemocytes, ganglia, midgut, hindgut, juvenile tissue (imaginal buds), and testes. No major changes in tissue tropisms were observed. The external symptoms were typical of nuclear polyhedrosis in all species except the corn earworm; in this host, development of the disease and death were delayed.     

Enhancement of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxicity to Lepidopterous Species with the Enhancin from Trichoplusia ni Granulovirus

The enhancin from the Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) granulovirus (TnGV) is a 104-kDa viral protein that can significantly increase the virulence of several baculoviruses. Enhancin can destroy the structural integrity of the peritrophic membrane (PM) of lepidopterous larvae, resulting in more efficient penetration of the PM by virions and avoidance of inactivation by larval midgut factors. In this study we demonstrate that TnGV enhancin can also enhance toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) to several noctuid species. Addition of enhancin significantly increased the toxicity of Dipel, a commercial Bt formulation, to six species (T. ni, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), and Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner)). Furthermore, the effectiveness of four commercial Bt-based products (Cutlass, Javelin, Biobit, and Dipel) against T. ni was enhanced three- to sixfold by adding purified enhancin. We hypothesize that the PM of larvae can impede the movement of the BT toxin protein to the midgut brush border and that enhancin can increase the toxicity by affecting the permeability of the PM.     

Comparative toxicity,growth inhibitory and biochemical effects of terpenes and phenylpropenes on Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

Eleven monoterpenes, phenylpropenes and sesquiterpenes were evaluated for their insecticidal and growth inhibitory activities against the second and fourth larval instars of Spodoptera littoralis. Among the tested compounds, 1,8-cineole revealed the highest fumigant toxicity against the 2nd and 4th larval instars with LC₅₀ values of 2.32 and 3.13 mg/L air, respectively. The monoterpenes, p-cymene, α-terpinene, (−)α-pinene and (−)-carvone were highly toxic to both larval stages as their LC₅₀ values ranged between 7.35 and 13.79 mg/L air against 2nd larval instar and between 14.66 and 32.02 mg/L air against 4th larval instar. In topical application assay against the 4th larval instar, (−)-carvone (LD₅₀ = 0.15 mg/larva) and cuminaldehyde (LD₅₀ = 0.27 mg/larva) were the most potent contact toxicants. In residual film assay, trans-cinnamaldehyde, (−)-citronellal and p-cymene showed the highest insecticidal activity against the 2nd larval instar, while α-terpinene and (−)-carvone were most effective compounds against the 4th larval instar. Moreover, the tested compounds caused strong growth reduction of both larval stages with growth inhibition higher than 80% in the 2nd larval instar and higher than 70% in the 4th larval instar. On the other hand, (−)-carvone, cuminaldehyde and (Z,E)-nerolidol showed pronounced inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) activity of S. littoralis larvae. Cuminaldehyde (IC₅₀ = 1.04 mM) and (Z,E)-nerolidol (IC₅₀ = 0.02 mM) caused the highest inhibition of AChE and ATPases, respectively. Taken together, the results indicate that monoterpenes, phenylpropenes and phenylpropenes could be used to develop new botanical insecticides for S. littoralis management.     

棉铃虫对氰戊菊酯抗性和敏感品系的选育

用氰戊菊酯对来自阳谷的棉铃虫(YG)Heliothis armigera(Hubncr) 进行抗性晶系的筛选。在15代期间经过9代的室内选育,获得抗性品系(Fcn-R),抗性倍数高达2“3倍,筛选后F₁₅代LD₅₀值(24.1412μg/头)比筛选前F1代lD₅₀值(0.2020μg/头)提高了119.5倍。对来自偃师的棉铃虫(YS)进行了连续两代单对筛选,得到敏感品系(Fen-S),敏感晶系的LD50值为0.0116μg/头,接近1983年东台敏感晶系的LD₅₀值(0.0098μg/头)Fcn-R抗性晶系筛选前后分别测定了七种杀虫剂的剂量-死亡回归线,发现Fen-R抗性品系对溴氰菊酯[LD₅₀(Fen-R)/LD₅₀(YG)=5.2X] 和氯氰菊酯(2.5X)具有一定程度的交互抗性;而对功夫菊酯(0.66X),氯菊酯(0.89x)、灭多威(0.74X)及久效磷(1.5x)没有交互抗性。氰戊菊酯加Pb的增效试验结果表明棉铃虫对氰戊菊酯的抗性主要是由于多功能氧化酶的代谢作用。毒理学资料还暗示抗性为多因子(基因)的。