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Title: POTENTIATION BY A GRANULOSIS VIRUS OF GYPCHEK, THE GYPSY MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA:LYMANTRIIDAE) NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS PRODUCT: FIELD CONFIRMATION

Author
item Webb, Ralph
item Shapiro, Martin
item Thorpe, Kevin
item PEIFFER, RANDY - DELAWARE ST. U
item FEUSTER, R - 1926-05-00
item VALENTI, M - DELAWARE DEPT. AGR
item White, Geoffrey
item PODGWAITE, J - USDA FOREST SERVICE

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Gypchek is a product with the gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) a the active ingredient that is registered with the U. S. EPA as a general us insecticide for aerial and ground application against the gypsy moth. Environmental concerns over the effects of non-specific insecticides applie to forest ecosystems have stimulated interest in the use of Gypchek. We conducted this study to confirm a laboratory finding that the co-applicati of a cotton bollworm granulosis virus (GV) with Gypchek increased the resulting NPV mortality compared to that resulting from Gypchek applied alo We applied Gypchek and the GV in various combinations against several gypsy moth instars under field conditions, included a Blankophor BBH (an optical brightener previously shown to potentiate Gypchek)+ Gypchek treatment as a comparison of virus enhancers, and determined the residual effects of the treatments combinations over a 3-wk period. The superior enhancement effect trecorded in the present study of Blankophor BBH compared to the granulosis virus suggests that Blankophor BBH should be a more economical enhancing ag for Gypchek than the GV; however, the addition of GV to Gypchek may appeal potential consumers seeking an all natural control system. While the enhancement of Gypchek by the GV in the combinations tested may be too smal for practical usage in the field, the concept has been validated. Our resul suggest that this approach to pest control warrents further research. Perha a different combination of baculoviruses will prove more potent. This proje should be useful to scientists seeking new ways to make their insect viral insecticide products more potent.

Technical Abstract: We examined aspects of the gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus (Gypchek) (NPV)relationship, and the effects of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) granulosis virus (GV) on thatrelationship. We used a bugs-in-bags approach to confirm a laboratory finding that the co-application of the GV with Gypchek increased the mortality due to NPV viremia at a givendose compared to that resulting from Gypchek applied alone. We applied Gypchek and thegranulosis virus in various combinations against several gypsy moth instars under fieldconditions, included a Blankophor BBH + Gypchek treatment as a comparison of virusenhancers, and determined the residual effects of the treatments over a 3-wk period. Theaddition of GV at 1% to Gypchek resulted in a log increase in observed mortality, confirmingthe laboratory finding of such potentiation. The addition of Blankophor BBH at 1% resultedin a two-log increase in observed mortality. The addition of GV at a lower dose of 0.1%resulted in no consistent increase in recorded mortality, and 1% GV applied alone wasinactive against gypsy moth. The residual activity of Gypchek was little enhanced by theaddition of the granulosis virus at either dose.