In vitro host range studies with a new baculovirus isolate from the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Plutellidae: Lepidoptera).

The in vitro host range of a newly isolated baculovirus from the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella was tested against six lepidopteran cell liness. Two baculoviruses with wide host ranges from the alfalfa looper Autographa californica (A. californica multiple nucleopolvhedrovirus, AcMNPV) and the celery looper Anagrapha falcifera (AfMNPV) were also included in this study for comparative purposes. PxMNPV replicated in all six cell lines and produced occlusion bodies, with HV-AM1 and TN-CL1 cells producing the highest viral titers and greatest number of occlusion bodies. There was no significant replication of AcMNPV and AfMNPV in the HZ-FB33 cell line and thus no production of occlusion bodies. The restriction endonuclease profiles of the three baculoviruses showed similarities but could be readily distinguished from each other. Either HV-AM1 or TN-CL1 would be suitable cell lines for the in vitro production of PxMNPV.