Influence of temperature on occlusion body production in a Mexican isolate of Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus

J. C. Luna-Espino, A. M. Martínez-Castillo, S. Ramos Ortiz, S. Pineda, V. R. Castrejón-Gómez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In vivo production of baculoviruses requires optimisation studies for each host-virus system. Considering the potential of a Mexican isolate of Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeSIN6) for developing a biopesticide, here, a compartmentalised tray system and a cool-textured diet were used to determine the effect of incubation temperature on the pathogenicity, speed of kill, and production of occlusion bodies (OBs). All measurements were compared with a characterised American nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate (SeUS2). Incubation of fourth instar S. exigua at 20, 25, and 30°C did not significantly affect the mortality caused by either isolate, although a delay in virus infection was observed at 20°C. The OB production of both isolates in infected larvae was significantly lower at 20°C than at 25 and 30°C. At all temperatures, the OB production of the SeSIN6 isolate was higher than the SeUS2 isolate. The production of OBs per mg larva was significantly higher at 30°C for both isolates. A positive correlation was observed between larval weight gain and the production of OBs/larva at all temperatures, whereas a negative correlation was observed between larval gain weight and OBs/mg of larval weight in most of the treatments. We conclude that incubation temperatures of 25 and 30°C are optimal for OB production per larva in both isolates tested. Further studies are needed to examine other factors that can improve the production of Mexican SeMNPV isolates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)223-235
Number of pages13
JournalBiocontrol Science and Technology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Occlusion bodies
  • bioinsecticides
  • biological control
  • pathogens
  • pest control

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