Author
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Shapiro, Martin |
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Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 7/23/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The beet armyworm nuclear polyhedrosis virus (SeNPV), registered as SPOD-X, is an effective microbial control agent against this pest insect species. As in the case of other NPVs, however, the potency (= killing power) can be greatly enhanced by the addition of selected optical brighteners. Acting as viral enhancers, Tinopal LPW, Blankophors BBH, HRS, P167, and RKH not only decreased the amount of virus needed to kill insects but also reduced the time to death. Thus, these materials could be used to make the beet armyworm NPV a more effective "killing machine" against the beet armyworm. This information will be useful to producers and researchers looking for ways to increase the efficiency of viruses for controlling vegetable pest insects. Technical Abstract: The addition of Tinopal LPW significantly reduced the LC50 of SeNPV from 6.0 PIB per mm2 to 0.03 PIB per mm2. The LT50 of SeNPV was reduced by 34% with the addition of Tinopal LPW. Eight stilbene optical brighteners were tested as activity enhancers for SeNPV. Five brighteners (Tinopal LPW, Blankophors BBH, HRS, P167, and RKH) reduced LC50s, whereas 3 had little effect (Blankophors BSU, DML, and LPG). Among the effective brighteners, however, there were significant differences in their activities as enhancers. Two brighteners reduced LC50s from 10-fold (P167) to 50-fold (RKH) and 3 brighteners reduced LC50s from 90-fold (LPW) and 140-fold (BBH) to more than 400-fold (HRS). LT50s were also decreased by the addition of Tinopal LPW and Blankophors BBH, HRS, P167, and RKH, but were increased by the addition of Blankophors BSU, DML, and LPG to SeNPV suspensions. |
