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Interactions between an injected polydnavirus and per os baculovirus in gypsy moth larvae
V D'Amico1, J D Podgwaite, R Zerillo
1USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, 531 South College Ave, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Gypsy moth larvae infected with L. dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) showed no increased mortality when coinfected with Cotesia melanoscela polydnavirus (CmeBV). Neither parasitoid eggs nor calyx injections altered LdMNPV-induced mortality in gypsy moths.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Insect Pathology
- Virology
Background:
- Gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar) are significant forest pests.
- Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) are effective biological control agents for gypsy moths.
- Polydnaviruses, like Cotesia melanoscela polydnavirus (CmeBV), are insect-specific viruses often associated with parasitoids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential synergistic or antagonistic interactions between L. dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) and Cotesia melanoscela polydnavirus (CmeBV) in gypsy moth larvae.
- To determine if CmeBV influences the pathogenicity or virulence of LdMNPV.
Main Methods:
- Larval gypsy moths were experimentally coinfected with LdMNPV (administered orally) and CmeBV (via parasitoid sting or injection of calyx extract).
- Mortality rates were monitored over a three-week period for all treatment groups.
- Control groups received only LdMNPV or CmeBV treatments.
Main Results:
- Coinfection with CmeBV, whether through parasitoid stinging or direct injection of calyx products, did not significantly alter the mortality caused by LdMNPV.
- Neither parasitism nor purified CmeBV injections affected the mortality levels associated with LdMNPV challenge.
Conclusions:
- Cotesia melanoscela polydnavirus (CmeBV) does not appear to enhance or inhibit the pathogenicity of L. dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) in gypsy moth larvae.
- These findings suggest that LdMNPV and CmeBV act independently regarding their impact on gypsy moth larval mortality under these experimental conditions.
