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: 6/17/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The bollworm nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV) was the first insect virus registered by the EPA as a microbial control agent. It is a virus specific to several closely related species and can be an effective means of control. As in the case of other NPVs, the potency (= killing power) can be increased by the addition of selected optical brighteners. Acting as viral enhancers, Tinopal LPW, Blankophors BBH, BSU, DML, HRS, P167, and RKH decreased the amount of virus needed to kill insects. Thus, these materials could be used to make the bollworm NPV a more effective "killing machine" against the bollworm and closely related insects. Technical Abstract: Eight stilbene optical brighteners were tested as enhancers for the cotton bollworm nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV). Seven of the eight brighteners acted as activity enhancers. Blankophors BBH, DML, and P167 reduced LC(50)s by 5-fold; Blankophors BSU, HRS, and RKH reduced LC(50)s by 10-fold; Tinopal LPW reduced LC(50)s by 20-fold. Blankophor LPG, on the other hand, did not enhance viral activity. While the brighteners reduced LC(50)s and LC(90)s, they had little effect upon LT(50)s and LT(90)s. |
