Development of a viral biopesticide for the control of the Guatemala potato tuber moth Tecia solanivora

摘要: The Guatemala potato tuber moth Tecia solanivora (Povolny) (Lep. Gelechiidae) is an invasive species from Mesoamerica that has considerably extended its distribution area in recent decades. While this considered to be a major pest Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, currently no specific control methods are available for farmers. To address issue we developed biopesticide formulation used integrated management of T. solanivora, following three steps. First, search entomopathogenic viruses were carried out through extensive bioprospections 12 countries worldwide. As result, new Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV) isolates found five other gelechid species. Second, twenty PhopGV isolates, including both previously known newly genetically and/or biologically characterized order choose the best candidate formulation. Sequence data obtained ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyltransferase (egt) gene, single copy gene play role pathogenicity. Three different sizes (1086, 1305 1353 bp) egt among virus analyzed. Unexpectedly, obvious correlation between size pathogenicity was found. Bioassays on neonates showed maximum 14-fold difference eight tested. most pathogenic isolate, JLZ9f, had medium lethal concentration (LC 50) 10 viral occlusion bodies per square mm consumed skin. Third, tested dust formulations by mixing dry carrier (calcium carbonate) with adjuvants (magnesium chloride or optical brightener soya lecithin) amounts JLZ9f. During laboratory experiments, satisfactory (>98% larva mortality compared untreated control) achieved containing macerated JLZ9f-dead larvae kg calcium carbonate mixed 50 mL/kg lecithin. final product provides interesting alternative chemical pesticides Andean farmers affected pest.