HISTOPATHOLOGY OF A GRANULOSIS-VIRUS DISEASE OF CODLING MOTH CARPOCAPSA POMONELLA

The granulosis of the codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella, is a polyorganotropic disease and produces pathologies in the fat body, hypodermis, tracheal matrix, and Malpighian tubules. Both free virus rods and capsules were observed in these organs with the electron microscope. The occurrence of infection in the Malpighian tubules suggests that the virus may be excreted through this organ. Laboratory tests indicated this possibility, but fecal contamination was not conclusively established. In addition to the virus rods and capsules found in the cells in an advanced stage of infection, there was a mass of coiled filaments that may be associated with the formation of the virus rods. © 1968.