A new continuous cell line from larval hemocytes of Spodoptera litura (F.)

A new cell line has been established from larval hemocytes of the moth, S. litura (tobacco cut worm). It took 147 days to form a monolayer and one year for the first 17 passages. At present, the culture is at 86th passage level and is designated NIV-SU-1095. Three cell types could be distinguished, viz. plasmatocytes (53%), prohemocytes (36%) and granular hemocytes (11%). The chromosome number was very high, 74% metaphase cells showed more than 100 chromosomes. The cells could be cryopreserved. The cells were susceptible to the baculoviruses, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and S. litura nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SLNPV). Plaques could be observed on 7th post infection day with SLNPV. Six cloned cell lines have been developed of which clone II-1F was more sensitive to both the baculoviruses compared to the original cell line.