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SAFETY TESTS FOR THE BACULOVIRUS OF THYMELICUS LINEOLA (LEPIDOPTERA: HESPERIIDAE)1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

W. A. Smirnoff ,
Jeremy N. McNeil  and
Pierre Lamothe
W. A. Smirnoff
Affiliation:
Laurentian Forest Research Centre, Canadian Forestry Service, Sainte-Foy, Québec G1V 4C7
Jeremy N. McNeil
Affiliation:
Département de biologie, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1K 7P4
Pierre Lamothe
Affiliation:
Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, C. P. 5000 St-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6
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Abstract

The baculovirus of Thymelicus lineola (Ochs.) has proved most effective as a microbial control agent of its host in numerous field trials, however, prior to its general use in an integrated control programme its possible deleterious effects on non-target organisms must be considered. Therefore the pathogenicity of this baculovirus to sheep and its cytopathogenicity to tissue cultures of lamb and calf testes were studied. Preliminary tests on 16 insect species were also carried out. No macro- or microscopic differences were detected between treated and control groups, suggesting that this baculovirus is quite specific and that its use as a microbial insecticide is feasible against T. lineola.

Résumé

De nombreuses dispersions expérimentales, aériennes ou terrestres ont démontré que la polyédrie nucléaire (baculovirus) de Thymelicus lineola (Ochs.) est un agent de contrôle microbiologique très efficace de son hôte, mais avant de recommander l’utilisation de ce micro-organisme dans un programme de lutte intégrée contre T. lineola, nous avons réalisé des tests de sécurité afin de déterminer si ce baculovirus peut avoir un impact sur l’environnement en général et sur des organismes autres que l’insecte visé. Ces tests ont été effectués sur des moutons et sur les cellules primaires des testicules de veaux et d’agneaux. Aussi, des tests préliminaires ont été effectués sur seize différentes espèces d’insectes. Les résultats obtenus indiquent que la polyédrie nucléaire de T. lineola n’a aucun effet sur les organismes testés et que son utilisation peut être recommandée pour la répression de son hôte.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 111 , Issue 4 , April 1979 , pp. 459 - 464
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1979

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