EFFECT OF NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS-VIRUS INFECTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUPATION OF GYPSY-MOTH LARVAE

The effects of Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection on gypsy moth larval development with respect to size, molting, and pupation were examined. Virus-infected noenate larvae inoculated by droplet feeding were significantly smaller than uninfected control larvae. In later instars, virus infection was found to slow weight gain, delay the onset of apolysis, inhibit molting, and block pupation. The magnitude of these effects increased with an increase in virus dose. These observed consequences may be the result of nutritional or hormonal interactions between virus and host and may have an effect on epidemiological studies on virus-infected insects in the field. © 1992.