Abstract
The morphogenesis of entomopoxvirus in the smaller tea tortrix, Adoxophyes sp., was studied by electron microscopy. At the initial stage of virus morphogenesis, crescent-shaped membranes which consisted of two unit membranes appeared around the periphery of the small viroplasm. These membranes thereafter formed the virus envelope. Immature virus particles were oval in shape and measured approximately 300×380nm. At the early stage of virus maturation, the viral core was formed inside the envelope and the beaded outline of the envelope was developed. Microspindles were formed in the spirals consisting of the endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. The nucleation and growth of the spheroids took place after the formation of some virus particles and microspindles, and spheroids grew larger by continuous accumulation of protein fibers. The final maturation of the virus which occurred when it was occluded into spheroids, was associated with the wavy appearance of the outer envelope, changes of electron density in the core and lateral body, appearance of rope-like structures in the core, and the reduction in virus size. The mature virus was oval in shape and measured approximately 170×210nm.
