Characterization of a multiple-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from Perina nuda (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) larvae

Abstract

A multiple-nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (MNPV), named Perina nuda MNPV (or PenuNPV), isolated from P. nuda (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)—a major banyan pest—was studied in terms of its main morphological, biochemical, and biological properties. The pleiomorphic occlusion bodies were 1.7–5.4 μm in diameter with a mean size of 2.2±0.52 (μm±SE), and their most prominent protein had an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa. The DNA genome size was estimated to be 120.38±0.38 (kbp±SE) based on restriction endonuclease fragment sizes. The median lethal dose response (LD₅₀) for this virus in 2nd to 5th instar P. nuda larvae were estimated at 154, 1,431, 14,458, and 169,137 occluded bodies per larva, respectively. In host range tests, other nine lepidopteran species from five families were not susceptible to PenuNPV. The high pathogenicity and specificity of this newly described MNPV indicate that it is indeed a good candidate for the biological control of this moth.