Biocontrol Science and Technology (1996) 6, 217-226

J. Kroschel, H.J. Kaack, E. Fritsch and J. Huber (1996)
Biological control of the potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in the Republic of Yemen using granulosis virus: Propagation and effectiveness of the virus in field trials
Biocontrol Science and Technology 6 (2), 217-226
Abstract: A granulosis virus (PoGV) infecting the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, in the Republic of Yemen was evaluated for its use in an inundative approach to control this pest. In field trials on potatoes, the effectiveness of the virus was examined on-farm and on-station using an unpurified preparation (PoGV I) and a purified glycerine-formulated virus preparation (PoGV II). The virus infection and mortality of potato tuber moth larvae were dependent on the virus concentration applied. After application of 5 10¹² occlusion bodies (OB) ha^-1 of PoGV I, the proportion of virus-infected larvae increased, fluctuating between 26 and 39% 14-35 days after treatment. At a granulosis virus concentration of 5 10¹³ OB ha^-1, clear symptoms of granulosis virus infection (milky white coloration and reduced vitality) were observed in larvae collected 11 days after treatment. A total of 70% of the fourth instar larvae collected 19 days after treatment with PoGV I were infected. Further observations revealed very high rates of effectiveness in terms of larval mortality. The preparations PoGV I and PoGV II were not found to differ in their degree of effectiveness, which resulted in a mortality of potato tuber moth larvae of 85.3% for PoGV I and 82.5% for PoGV II respectively.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jürgen Kroschel, Jürg Huber

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phthorimaea operculella	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Yemen
Betabaculovirus phoperculellae (entomopathogen)	Phthorimaea operculella	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	Yemen