Baculovirus insecticides in Latin America: Historical overview, current status and future perspectives

Baculoviruses are known to regulate many insect populations in nature. Their host-specificity is very high, usually restricted to a single or a few closely related insect species. They are amongst the safest pesticides, with no or negligible effects on non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, vertebrates and plants. Baculovirus-based pesticides are compatible with integrated pest management strategies and the expansion of their application will significantly reduce the risks associated with the use of synthetic chemical insecticides. Several successful baculovirus-based pest control programs have taken place in Latin American countries. Sustainable agriculture (a trend promoted by state authorities in most Latin American countries) will benefit from the wider use of registered viral pesticides and new viral products that are in the process of registration and others in the applied research pipeline. The success of baculovirus-based control programs depends upon collaborative efforts among government and research institutions, growers associations, and private companies, which realize the importance of using strategies that protect human health and the environment at large. Initiatives to develop new regulations that promote the use of this type of ecological alternatives tailored to different local conditions and farming systems are underway.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia MolecularFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Biologia e morfometria dos estágios imaturos de Epinotia aporema em dieta artificial

The objective of this work was to establish a life table for the immature stages of Epinotia aporema, as part of a wider investigation on its biological control. Insects were reared on an artificial diet at 25±1ºC and a 16:8 (light:dark) hour photoperiod. For the identification of larval instars for the study of pathogen-insect interactions under laboratory conditions, head capsule widths (HCWs) were also determined. The egg incubation period was 4.13±0.30 days, larval stage took 11.64±0.49 days, and the development time of the pupal phase was sex-dependent with 8.51±0.69 days for the females and 9.41±0.65 days for the males. Five larval instars were identified.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer uma tabela de vida para os estágios imaturos de Epinotia aporema, como parte de um estudo mais amplo para seu controle biológico. Os insetos foram criados em dieta artificial a 25±1ºC e 16:8 (luz:escuridão) horas de fotoperíodo. Para a identificação dos estágios larvais para estudos de interação inseto-patógeno em condições de laboratório, as larguras de cápsula cefálica também foram determinadas. O período de incubação dos ovos foi de 4,13±0,30 dias, o estágio larval foi de 11,64±0,49 dias, e o tempo de desenvolvimento das pupas dependeu do sexo, com 8,51±0,69 dias para as fêmeas e 9,41±0,65 dias para os machos. Foram identificados cinco estágios larvais

Characterization of a Granulovirus Isolated from Epinotia aporema Wals. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Larvae

A granulovirus (GV) isolated from Epinotia aporema (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) - a major soybean pest - was studied in terms of its main morphological, biochemical, and biological properties. The ovoidal occlusion bodies were 466 by 296 nm in size, and their most prominent protein had an apparent molecular mass of 29 kDa. Its amino-terminal sequence was remarkably homologous to that of the granulins of other GVs. The DNA genome size was estimated to be 120 kbp. The high specificity and pathogenicity of this newly described granulovirus (EpapGV) indicate that it is indeed a good candidate for the biological control of this pest.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasInstituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula

Isolation and Characterization of a Nucleopolyhedrovirus from Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of vegetable crops widely distributed in South America. At present, its control is based on the use of broad spectrum chemical insecticides. In order to develop a more selective alternative to be applied in integrated or organic pest management programs, we isolated and characterized a baculovirus that infects R. nu, denominated RanuMNPV (Rachiplusia nu multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus) in view of its morphology and pattern of infection. According to optical microscope images of infected in vitro cell cultures, data from bioassays carried out with various species of larvae, and DNA sequences from p74, polyhedrin, v-cathepsin, v-chitinase, lef8 and lef9 genes, this isolate could be considered as a variant of Autographa californica MNPV with a different host range.Fil: Rodriguez, Vanina Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Belaich, Mariano Nicolas. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Quintana, Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Sciocco Cap, Alicia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Ghiringhelli, Pablo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Baculovirus insecticides in Latin America: Historical overview, current status and future perspectives

Baculoviruses are known to regulate many insect populations in nature. Their host-specificity is very high, usually restricted to a single or a few closely related insect species. They are amongst the safest pesticides, with no or negligible effects on non-target organisms, including beneficial insects, vertebrates and plants. Baculovirus-based pesticides are compatible with integrated pest management strategies and the expansion of their application will significantly reduce the risks associated with the use of synthetic chemical insecticides. Several successful baculovirus-based pest control programs have taken place in Latin American countries. Sustainable agriculture (a trend promoted by state authorities in most Latin American countries) will benefit from the wider use of registered viral pesticides and new viral products that are in the process of registration and others in the applied research pipeline. The success of baculovirus-based control programs depends upon collaborative efforts among government and research institutions, growers associations, and private companies, which realize the importance of using strategies that protect human health and the environment at large. Initiatives to develop new regulations that promote the use of this type of ecological alternatives tailored to different local conditions and farming systems are underway.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia MolecularFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Characterization of a new <i>Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus</i> variant causing epizootic on a previously unreported host, <i>Helicoverpa gelotopoeon</i> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

This paper reports the first biological and molecular characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the soybean and cotton pest Helicoverpa gelotopoeon. Studies were performed following a virus outbreak in a rearing facility and in wild H. gelotopoeon populations in Córdoba, Argentina. Host identity was corroborated by partial sequencing of the COI gene. Scanning electron microscope observations of purified OBs revealed their polyhedral morphology and an average diameter of 0.89 ± 0.14 μm. Ultrathin sections of infected larvae examined by transmission electron microscopy showed the intranuclear occurrence of polyhedra and virus particles in fat body cells. Nucleocapsids were singly enveloped. Phylogenetic analysis of lef-8, lef-9, polh, orf5/5b and hr3-orf62 viral sequences identified this new NPV isolate (hereafter HegeSNPV) as a variant of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV). Furthermore, HegeSNPV was closely related to the so-called “HzSNPV Group” within HearNPV, although having particular characteristics.Instituto de Biotecnologia y Biologia Molecula

Identification of nucleopolyhedrovirus that infect Nymphalid butterflies Agraulis vanillae and Dione juno

Dione juno and Agraulis vanillae are very common butterflies in natural gardens in South America, and also bred worldwide. In addition, larvae of these butterflies are considered as pests in crops of Passiflora spp.For these reasons, it is important to identify and describe pathogens of these species, both for preservation purposes and for use in pest control. Baculoviridae is a family of insect viruses that predominantly infect species of Lepidoptera and are used as bioinsecticides. Larvae of D. juno and A. vanillae exhibiting symptoms of baculovirus infection were examined for the presence of baculoviruses by PCR and transmission electron microscopy. Degenerate primers were designed and used to amplify partial sequences from the baculovirus p74, cathepsin, and chitinase genes, along with previously designed primers for amplification of lef-8, lef-9, and polh. Sequence data from these six loci, along with ultrastructural observations on occlusion bodies isolated from the larvae, confirmed that the larvae were infected with nucleopolyhedroviruses from genus Alphabaculovirus. The NPVs from the two different larval hosts appear to be variants of the same, previously undescribed baculovirus species. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data placed these NPVs in Alphabaculovirus group I/clade 1b.Fil: Rodriguez, Vanina Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Belaich, Mariano Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mengual Gómez, Diego Luis. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sciocco Cap, Alicia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ghiringhelli, Pablo Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular y Celular. Área Virus de Insectos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Analysis of EpapGV gp37 gene reveals a close relationship between granulovirus and entomopoxvirus

The Epinotia aporema Granulovirus GP37 protein gene has been identified, located, and sequenced. This gene was similar to other baculovirus gp37, to entomopoxvirus fusolin gene, and to the chitin-binding protein gene of bacteria. Sequence analysis indicated that the open reading frame is 669 bp long (the smallest gp37 sequenced at present) and encodes a predicted 222-amino acid protein. This protein is glycosylated and specifically recognized by an entomopoxvirus fusolin antiserum. The pairwise comparison of EpapGV gp37 gene product with all the baculovirus sequences in GenBank yields high similarity values ranging from 45 to 63 % with Cydia pomonella Granulovirus gp37 being the most closely related. The phylogenetic analysis interestingly grouped the granuloviruses in a cluster more closely related to entomopoxviruses than to nucleopolyhedroviruses, suggesting a possible horizontal transfer event between the granulovirus group and the entomopoxvirus group.Fil: Salvador, Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ferrelli, Maria Leticia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Berretta, Marcelo Facundo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mitsuhashi, Wataru. No especifíca;Fil: Biedma, Marina Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Romanowski, Víctor. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Sciocco, Alicia Inés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; Argentin