Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-xtgtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T03:23:30.842Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Virus disease of the African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

E. S. Brown  and
G. Swaine
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Field and laboratory studies of virus disease in the armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Wlk.) were carried out in East Africa in 1962–64. A nuclear polyhedrosis virus was detected microscopically in pupae, prepupae and all larval instars except the first, and was found to be widely distributed in most areas subject to outbreaks of armyworm in East Africa. The signs and course of the disease in larvae of S. exempta are described. Attempts made in the laboratory to infect S. triturata and other species of Spodoptera with virus from S. exempta failed. In unsterile conditions of maintenance, almost all laboratory cultures from wild-caught female moths sustained heavy infections. The appearance of the symptoms of polyhedrosis was accelerated at higher temperatures, and the incidence was higher in more crowded cultures. Transmission took place from contaminated leaves to larvae and probably from one larva to another. There was evidence also of generation-to-generation transmission through the egg.

The effect on polyhedra of immersion in alkali solutions was investigated; it. was found that immersion for 15 minutes in 0·2 per cent. caustic potash effectively dissolved the matrix and inactivated the virus. When all equipment was sterilised in this way (or, later, with 0·4% caustic potash) apparently virus-free cultures were obtained by rearing the larvae from wild-caught females in isolation and breeding from those that survived to become adults.

The possible use of the virus for control of outbreaks of armyworm in the field is discussed; it is concluded that there is at present insufficient evidence to show whether such a measure would be effective.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 56 , Issue 1 , October 1965 , pp. 95 - 116
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1965

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aizawa, K. (1954). Multiplication mode of the silkworm jaundice virus. I. On the multiplication mode in connection with the latent period and LD50 time curve. [In Japanese with English summary.]—Bull. Jap. Sericult. Exp. Sta. 14 pp. 201–228.Google Scholar
Aizawa, K. (1963). The nature of infections caused by nuclear-polyhedrosis viruses. In Steinhaus, E. A. Ed. Insect Pathology. Vol. 1 pp. 381–412. New York & London, Academic Pr.Google Scholar
Allen, H. W. (1921). Notes on a Bombylid parasite and a polyhedral disease of the southern grass worm, Laphygma frugiperda.—J. econ. Ent. 14 pp. 510–511.Google Scholar
Andrewes, C. H. (1957). Latent virus infections.—Nature, Lond. 180 pp. 788–789.Google Scholar
Aruga, H. (1963). Induction of virus infections.—In Steinhaus, E. A. Ed. Insect Pathology. Vol. 1 pp. 499–530. New York & London, Academic Pr.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bergold, G. H. (1958). Some topics of insect virology.—Trans. First int. Conf. Insect Path. biol. Contr. pp. 191–195.Google Scholar
Brown, E. S. (1962). The African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae): a review of the literature.—57 pp., multigraph. London, Commonw. Inst. Ent.Google Scholar
Coaker, T. H. (1958). Experiments with a virus disease of the cotton bollworm Heliothis armigera (Hbn.).—Ann. appl. Biol. 46 pp. 536–541.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Faure, J. E. (1943). Phase variation in the army worm, Laphygma exempta (Walk.)—Sci. Bull. Dep. Agric.. For. S. Afr. no. 234, 17 pp.Google Scholar
Graham, J. F. (1961). Annual Report of the Senior Entomologist, 1959.—Rep. Dep. Agric. Kenya 1959 2 pp. 6–14.Google Scholar
Hattingh, C. C. (1941). The biology and ecology of the army worm (Laphygma exempta) and its control in South Africa.—Sci. Bull. Dep. Agric. For. S. Afr. no. 217, 50 pp.Google Scholar
Hughes, K. M. (1957). An annotated list and bibliography of insects reported to have virus diseases.—Hilgardia 26 pp. 597–629.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jack, R. W. (1930). The army worm (Laphygma exempta Wlk.).—Rhod. agric. J. 27 pp. 912–924 and 1052–1064; also as Bull. Minist. Agric. & Lds [Rhodesia] no. 796, 27 pp.Google Scholar
Luginbill, P. (1928). The fall army worm.—Tech. Bull. U.S. Dep. Agric. no. 34, 91 pp.Google Scholar
Martignoni, M. E. & Langston, R. L. (1960). Supplement to an annotated list and bibliography of insects reported to have virus diseases.—Hilgardia 30 pp. 1–40.Google Scholar
Matthée, J. J. (1945). Biochemical differences between the solitary and gregarious phases of locusts and Noctuids.—Bull. ent. Res. 36 pp. 343–371.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Neilson, M. M. (1964).—A cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus pathogenic for a number of Lepidopterous hosts.—J. Insect Path. 6 pp. 41–52.Google Scholar
Paillot, A. [1930]. Traité des maladies du ver à soie.—279 pp. Paris, Doin et Cie.Google Scholar
Rivers, C. F. (1957). Advances in insect virus research.—ptoc. S. Land. ent. nat. Hist. Soc. 1956 pp. 101–110.Google Scholar
Rivnay, E. (1962). Field crop pests in the Near East.—Monogr. biol. 10, 450 pp. The Hague, W. Junk.Google Scholar
Smith, K. M. (1956). Virus diseases of insects: their use in biological control.—Agriculture Lond. 63 pp. 271–275.Google Scholar
Smith, K. M. (1959). The use of viruses in the biological control of insect pests.—Outlook on Agric. 2 pp. 178–184.Google Scholar
Smith, K. M. (1962).Viruses.—134 pp. London, Cambridge Univ. Pr.Google ScholarPubMed
Smith, K. M. & Xeros, N. (1953). Studies on the cross transmission of polyhedral viruses: experiments with a new virus from Pyrameis cardui, the painted lady butterfly.—Parasitology 43 pp. 178–185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steinhaus, E. A. (1949). Nomenclature and classification of insect viruses.—Bact. Rev. 13 pp. 203–223.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1951). Report on diagnoses of diseased insects 1944–1950.—Hilgardia 20 pp. 629–678.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1952). The susceptibility of two species of Colias to the same virus.—J. econ. Ent. 45 pp. 897–899.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1957a). New records of insect-virus diseases.—Hilgardia 26 pp. 417–430.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1957b). Concerning the harmlessness of insect pathogens and the standardisation of microbial control products.—J. econ. Ent. 50 pp. 715–720.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1958a). Stress as a factor in insect disease.—Proc. 10th int. Congr. Ent. 4 pp. 725–730.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. (1958b). Crowding as a possible stress factor in insect disease.—Ecology 39 pp. 503–514.Google Scholar
Steinhaus, E. A. & Marsh, G. A. (1962). Report of diagnoses of diseased insects 1951–1961.—Hilgardia 33 pp. 349–490.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swaine, G. (1963). Fighting the army worm.—New Scientist 17 no. 326 pp. 357–358.Google Scholar
Swaine, G. & Ringo, D. F. P. (1964). Breeding of army worm, Spodoptera exempta Wlk.—Rep. North. Res. Cent. Tengeru no. 14, 4 pp.Google Scholar
Tanada, Y. (1954). A polyhedrosis virus of the imported cabbageworm and its relation to a polyhedrosis virus of the alfalfa caterpillar.—Ann. ent. Soc. Amer. 47 pp. 553–574.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vago, C. (1963). Predispositions and interrelations in insect diseases.—In Steinhaus, E. A. Ed. Insect Pathology. Vol. I pp. 339–379. New York & London, Academic Pr.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Viette, P. (1963). Le complexe de Prodenia litura (Fabricius) dans la région malgache (Lep. Noctuidae).—Butt. mens. Soc. Linn. Lyon 33 pp. 145–148.Google Scholar