Occurrence and accumulation of the granulosis virus of Pieris rapae in treated field plots

The granulosis virus of Pieris rapae, the imported cabbageworm (P. rapae GV), persisted in soil after application. Virus produced by epizootics of the disease in populations of the host accumulated in soil in nontreated plots with concentrations of the virus in soil and on foliage, being similar at harvest to concentrations in virus-treated plots. Also P. rapae GV produced in epizootics of the disease increased concentrations in soil of virus-treated plots and maintained substantial residues of the virus on the foliage. Little virus accumulated in plots treated with some chemical insecticides and Bacillus thuringiensis because few host larvae survived to support late-season epizootics. Small quantities of P. rapae GV were found in heads of cabbage harvested from plots in October, but these residues were not related to plot treatment.A study in which nontreated and virus-treated plots were replanted for 2 years after treatment indicated an increase in concentrations of P. rapae GV in surface soil in years following treatment. Concentrations of P. rapae GV in soil in virus-treated and nontreated plots were similar in the autumn of the year of treatment and in subsequent years of the study. Concentrations were nearly unchanged during the winter, were reduced by cultivation preparatory to planting in the spring, and increased with epizootics of the disease in host populations in summer and autumn.P. rapae GV disease was prevalent during September and October in populations of P. rapae larvae in plots in which substantial concentrations of the virus were found and contributed to late-season control of the pest insect.