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Protocols for Microapplicator-assisted Infection of Lepidopteran Larvae with Baculovirus
Published on: August 23, 2008
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Baculovirus Insecticide Production in Insect Larvae
Nikolai van Beek1, David C Davis2
1Kenya Biologics Ltd, Thika, Kenya.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|January 29, 2016
Summary
Baculovirus insecticides are vital for agriculture. This study details benchtop production of wild-type and recombinant baculoviruses, optimizing yields for agricultural applications.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Biotechnology
- Pest Management
Background:
- Baculovirus-based insecticides are globally utilized, with significant success in crops like soybean and cotton.
- Current commercial products use wild-type baculoviruses, while recombinant types offer faster pest control but face production challenges.
- Recombinant baculovirus production is hindered by the short survival time of production hosts, impacting cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe benchtop-scale production methods for two distinct baculoviruses.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of producing both wild-type and recombinant baculoviruses for insecticidal applications.
- To address challenges in recombinant baculovirus production, particularly concerning host survival and product yield.
Main Methods:
- Production of wild-type Helicoverpa zea nucleopolyhedrovirus in H. zea larvae, requiring isolated rearing due to host aggression.
- Production of a recombinant Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus in Trichoplusia ni larvae, a non-cannibalistic host.
- Utilized a tetracycline transactivator system to control expression of an insect-specific scorpion toxin (LqhIT2) in recombinant baculoviruses, preventing premature host death.
Main Results:
- Established benchtop-scale production protocols for both wild-type H. zea nucleopolyhedrovirus and a recombinant AcMNPV.
- Demonstrated successful production of recombinant baculovirus encoding LqhIT2 in T. ni larvae.
- The tetracycline transactivator system enabled production of wild-type quantity and quality virus by repressing premature toxin expression.
Conclusions:
- Benchtop-scale production of baculoviruses is feasible using specific host-insect systems.
- Controlled expression systems are crucial for the successful production of recombinant baculoviruses encoding lethal toxins.
- Optimized production methods are essential for the wider adoption of advanced baculovirus insecticides in agriculture.
