Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026
RNA Interference in the Egg Parasitoid, Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura
Published on: November 21, 2023
Vertical transmission of TnSNPV, TnCPV, AcMNPV, and possibly recombinant NPV in Trichoplusia ni
J R Fuxa1, A R Richter, A O Ameen
1Department of Entomology, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 402 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA. jfuxa@lsu.edu
Abstract:
Four viruses were tested for vertical transmission in Trichoplusia ni: T. ni nucleopolyhedrovirus (TnSNPV), T. ni cypovirus (TnCPV), Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), and AcMNPV engineered to express a scorpion toxin (AcMNPV.AaIT). Fifth instars were exposed to each virus, the survivors were reared and mated, and second-generation (F(1)) insects were examined for infection. TnSNPV was transmitted to offspring at a prevalence rate of 15.4%, TnCPV at 10.2%, and AcMNPV at 10.1%. Only one of 2484 F(1) insects was infected with AcMNPV.AaIT; this experiment was repeated, and none of 4774 insects was infected. Thus, vertical transmission is unlikely to contribute to AcMNPV.AaIT contacting non-target organisms after its field release. There was evidence that TnCPV and possibly TnSNPV were activated to overt infections by ingestion of a different virus. TnCPV, but not the NPVs, routinely infected 0.3-1.7% of non-treated insects, probably indicating that it is vertically transmitted at enzootic levels.
