Characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus of Epinotia granitalis (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

A nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) from the cypress bark moth Epinotia granitalis Butler was partially characterized. Electron microscopy indicated that E. granitalis NPV (EpgrNPV) is a singly embedded nucleocapsid NPV with a relatively small polyhedron, ranging from 480 to 1100 nm in diameter. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that EpgrNPV is a Group II NPV that is related to but distinct from Adoxophyes honmai NPV. The LC50 against third instar E. granitalis larvae was 105.5 polyhedral occlusion bodies per gram (OBs/g diet), and the average time to death was 14 days. E. granitalis was the only EpgrNPV-susceptible species in a series of infection tests using insect species belonging to the family Tortricidae. Other test species, including Eucoenogenes ancyrota, A. honmai, Adoxophyes dubia, Pandemis heparana, Homona magnanima, and Archips insulanus, were not susceptible to the infection.