Occurrence and cross infectivity of granulovirus of field bean pod borer Adisura atkinsoni Moore.

ABSTRACT

A granulovirus (GV) was isolated from the field-bean pod borer, Adisura atkinsoni. Electron microscopic observation showed capsule or granular shaped occlusion bodies. The virus was highly virulent against second instar larvae when tested at 1 x 10(6) occlusions/larva through food surface (pod/seed) contamination technique. The incubation period ranged from 6-10 days in the case of second instar larvae. In contrast to green coloured healthy larvae. GV infected A. atkinsoni became brownish/pale white in colour mostly due to accumulation of large number of occlusion bodies. Study on the cross infectivity of A. atkinsoni GV to gram caterpillar, Helicoverpa armigera revealed the high susceptibility of H. armigera to A. atkinsoni GV, thereby widening the scope of controlling both the species on the same cropping system. This is the first record of GV from A. atkinsoni from India.