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A new nucleopolyhedrovirus from the oil-palm leaf-eater Euprosterna elaeasa (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae): Preliminary characterization and field assessment in Peruvian plantation

Abstract:

A new nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), named EuelNPV, periodically affects Euprosterna elaeasa populations, a major lepidopteran defoliator of oil-palm in Peru. EuelNPV belongs to the sub-group of the single-embedded NPV and exhibits irregularly shaped inclusion bodies of a size <1 μm. The molecular weight of its polyhedrin is about 31.9 ± 0.2 kDa and its genome is over 110 kbp. Field applications of 3 × 1013 polyhedra/ha caused larval mortality from 70 to 90% compared to untreated controls. The effects were better than those obtained using pyrethroids and overall application costs were about 2.5 times lower. There is good potential for use of this entomopathogen in place of more toxic products. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.