Efficacy of entomopathogenic viruses for control of pickleworm larvae

New biological pest management techniques, such as microbial control, are needed for management of the pickleworm, a major pest of Cucurbitaceae. Entomopathogenic viruses for control of this pest were first bioassayed in vitro on cell lines newly derived from pickleworm embryos. In these experiments, a multiply embedded nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) from velvet bean caterpillar showed the greatest activity toward the pickleworm cell lines. Following these results, 14 entomopathogenic viruses in the families Baculoviridae, Reoviridae, and Iridoviridae were evaluated in vivo in bioassays of second instars, and six baculoviruses showed significant activity against pickleworm larvae. AgMNPV and a multiply embedded nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) from alfalfa looper were the most efficacious against second instar pickleworms. Moreover, five of six stilbene fluorescent brighteners significantly increased efficacy of AgMNPV against this pest.