Isolation and characterization of baculoviruses infecting the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

Caoili, B.L., Philippines Univ. Los Banos, College, Laguna . Crop Protection Cluster

Isolation and characterization of baculoviruses infecting the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

2006

Caoili, B.L., Philippines Univ. Los Banos, College, Laguna (Philippines). Crop Protection Cluster)

This study is the first attempt to isolate and characterize local geographic strains of baculoviruses that infect the diamond back moth(DBM), Plutella xylostella. Diseased larvae and pupas of DBM was collected from 13 crucifer growing areas and from the Trading Post, La Trinidad, Benguet [Philippines]. Using Koch's postulates test, a total of 70 baculovirus strains were isolated from 93 diseased DBM larvae and pupae collected from only 9 sites in the Philippines. Differential centrifugation was done to isolate the two types of baculovirus, which are the granulovirus (GV) and the nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) from the samples. Based on bio assay and microscopic studies, 33 isolates are suspected to be GVs, and the remaining 37 isolates are suspected NPVs. Occlusions bodies observed are of typical GV and NPV shapes. A mixture of both baculovirus types in a single diseased DBM sample was noted. In vitro cloning of the obtained baculoviruses should be done in order to determine the genetic variation that exists in our local DBM baculoviruses. In addition, DBM larvae and pupae infected with fungal and possibly bacterial pathogens were also collected. Further characterization of these collected pathogens is needed to evaluate their potential as biological control agents for DBM.

اظهر المزيد [+]