A Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus of Anticarsia gemmatalis: I. Ultrastructure, Replication, and Pathogenicity

A nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) isolated from the velvetbean caterpillar (VBC), Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, on soybean in Brazil is described. The virus is a multiple embedded virus (MEV) type of the baculovirus group, with symptoms, histology, ultrastructure, and mechanism of replication similar to other reported NPVs. Velvetbean caterpillar larvae are highly susceptible to the NPV. Susceptibility studies were negative for Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); however, Heliothis zea (Boddie) was susceptible. The potential role of the NPV in an integrated pest management program for the VBC on soybean is discussed.