Effect of nuclear polyhedrosis virus on the larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L.

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) with nine concentrations on larval mortality, incubation period, rate of pupation, pupal mortality and emergence of malformed and normal adults of all instars of Plutella xylostella L. The incubation period of the virus increased and mortality decreased with advancement in age of the caterpillars. Pupation rate and mortality decreased with increase in polyhedral inclusion bodies in all instars. Higher percentage of malformed adult emergence was observed with lower concentration of virus infection in early instars. Normal adult emergence was higher in lower concentrations of virus fed to the early instars.