Assessing the efficacy of combined nucleopolyhedrovirus and granulovirus isolates against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a laboratory-based investigation
Laboratory-based trial assesses mortality from mixed baculovirus infections in S. littoralis, suggesting potential for pest management.
Key Points
This study aims to assess the virulence of two baculovirus isolates against Spodoptera littoralis larvae and investigate the effects of mixed infections.
Laboratory bioassays with neonate larvae of Spodoptera littoralis exposed to virus-treated diet.
Viruses tested included SpliNPV-AN1956 and SpliGV-EG24 at concentrations from 10³ to 5 × 10⁵ OBs/mL.
Mortality data analyzed using probit regression to estimate LC₅₀ values.
SpliNPV was approximately 2.7-fold more potent than SpliGV with LC₅₀ values of 7.47 × 10⁴ OBs/mL and 2.03 × 10⁵ OBs/mL, respectively.
Maximum mortality of 84.0% observed in high-concentration mixed treatments.
Interactions between mixed infections were additive rather than synergistic.