Betanudivirus hezeae (entomopathogen)

Betanudivirus • Nudiviridae • entomopathogenic viruses • Diseases of pests • Beneficials/natural enemies

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(A) A cluster of virions in the bursa copulatrix of an adult female Helicoverpa zea moth infected with Helicoverpa zea nudivirus 2 (HzNV-2). Virions appear to be embedded in a granular matrix material, resulting in an occlusion body with an atypical appearance. (B) HzNV-2 virion derived from an atypical occlusion body treated with sodium carbonate. Scale bars: (A) 1 µm; (B) 0.25 µm. Micrographs produced by J. R. Adams (USDA).
Source: ICTV Reports

Betanudivirus hezeae (entomopathogen)

Assigned viruses:
• Heliothis zea nudivirus 1 (HzNV1)
• Helicoverpa zea nudivirus 2 (HzNV2)

Betanudivirus hezeae includes 2 closely related viruses: Heliothis zea nudivirus 1 (HzNV1) was isolated from a cell line derived from the ovaries of an adult Helicoverpa zea moth (previously Heliothis zea). Helicoverpa zea nudivirus 2 (HzNV2) was isolated from the same moth species showing gonadal atrophy.

Reproduction of the viruses appears to take place mainly in ovarian tissues of adult moths, and mating is the main route of transmission. HyNV2 has been also called gonad-specific virus. HzNV2, but not HzNV1, can infect H. zea larvae. The infected larvae do not show disease symptoms, but pass on the infection to the adult stage. Likewise, infected female moths transmit the virus to their progeny, as well as to males during mating. Infected males can infect female moths.

The genomes of HzNV-1 and HzNV-2 are 228 089 and 231 621 bp in size, respectively, with 154 (HzNV1) and 113 (HzNV2) ORFs. The virions are more elongated compared to those of alphanudivirus virions, measuring 414–437 nm × 80–93 nm. The virions accumulate in structures that superficially resemble the occlusion bodies of viruses in the family Baculoviridae.