Attempts to obtain Oryctes baculovirus replication in three insect cell cultures

Attempts were made to obtain Oryctes baculovirus replication in three insect cell cultures. The cell cultures were derived from the dynastine beetle Heteronychus arator, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, and the mosquito Aedes albopictus. The criteria for virus replication were synthesis of virus-specific DNA and presence of virus particles within cells. Infection occurred in H. arator cells but not in S. frugiperda cells. When A. albopictus cells were inoculated with high concentrations of Oryctes baculovirus virus uptake and syncytia formation occurred but there was no evidence of virus replication and thus infection probably did not occur. It is suggested therefore that a previous report of replication of Oryctes baculovirus in both S. frugiperda and A. albopictus cells is incorrect and an alternative interpretation of this report is proposed.