Detection of nucleopolyhedroviruses in the eggs and caterpillars of tea looper caterpillar Hyposidra infixaria (Walk.) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) as evidence of transovarial transmission

The transovarial transmission of Hyposidra infixaria nucleopolyhedroviruses (HyinNPV) in the tea looper caterpillar H. infixaria was investigated. H. infixaria larvae reared from eggs (surface sterilised) collected from a tea garden showed typical signs of nucleopolyhedrosis virus infection. The polyhedrin gene amplified from larvae confirmed HyinNPV infection and provided clear evidence of vertical virus transmission from parent to offspring (transovarial transmission). This study reveals important aspects of HyinNPV that could be exploited in biological control programmes; HyinNPV can persist in larval populations and be passed on to the next generation, and thus it may be useful for the long-term control of H. infixaria.