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Title: DISCOVERY OF A GRANULOVIRUS OF PANDEMIS PYRUSANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE),A LEAFROLLER PEST OF APPLES IN WASHINGTON

Author
item Pfannenstiel, Robert
item SZYMANSKI, M. - BELLINGHAM WASH
item Lacey, Lawrence
item BRUNNER, J. - WASH ST UNIVERSITY
item SPENCE, K. - WASH ST UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2004
Publication Date: 6/24/2004
Citation: Pfannenstiel, R.S., Szymanski, M., Lacey, L.A., Brunner, J.F., Spence, K. 2004. Discovery of a granulovirus of Pandemis pyrusana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a leafroller pest of apples in Washington. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 86:124-127.

Interpretive Summary: The Pandemis leafroller is an important pest of apples in Washington. Surveys for natural enemies of this leafroller uncovered a pathogen infecting Pandemis leafrollers in a single orchard in central Washington. Over a three-year period infection rates were variable and ranged from 2.6 to 67% of individuals collected. A culture was established in the laboratory, the virus identified as a granulovirus and designated PpGV. PpGV did not cross-infect two other leafrollers found in or near orchards in Washington at a dose that caused 100% mortality in the Pandemis leafroller. Distribution of this pathogen to orchards where it does not occur might improve natural regulation of leafroller populations.

Technical Abstract: Pandemis pyrusana is an important leafroller pest of apples in Washington. Surveys for natural enemies uncovered a pathogen infecting Pandemis leafrollers in a single orchard in central Washington. The rate of infection was determined for each generation for 3 years. Infection rates were highly variable and ranged from 2.6 to 67% of individuals collected. A culture was established in the laboratory, the virus identified as a granulovirus and designated PpGV. The suitability of several other leafrollers (Choristoneura rosaceana and Xenotemna pallorana) as hosts for PpGV was tested in the laboratory. PpGV showed no pathogenicity to either C. rosaceana or X. pallorana at a dose that caused 100% mortality in P. pyrusana.