REPLICATION OF HELIOTHIS-ARMIGERA ENTOMOPOXVIRUS IN-VITRO

An entomopoxvirus which replicates in Helicoverpa armigera larvae has been adapted to grow in cultured insect cell lines. The virus multiplies in cell lines derived from Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni, and Plutella xylostella. Twenty-nine clonal lines derived from the established H. zea cell Line BCIRL-Hz-AM1 showed differences in susceptibility to infection. Serological assays revealed qualitative and quantitative variation in HaEPV replication and accumulation in different clonal lines and associated culture media. High-level nonlytic replication of the virus was observed in two clonal H. zea lines. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.