In vivo mass production in the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) of a heterologous (Panolis) and a homologous (Mamestra) nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

In preparation for field trials, a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea, was mass produced in vivo in an alternative (heterologous) host, the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae. Simultaneously, Mamestra NPV was also produced in M. brassicae. This homologous NPV/host system was a consistently more efficient production system than the heterologous one. Evidence is presented that increased humidity may improve levels of infection and, therefore, yield achieved. Full purification of the resultant product through a sucrose gradient resulted in a loss of virus of about 30%.