Replication and morphogenesis of Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus in cultured cells of Estigmene acrea (salt marsh caterpillar).

A study of the sequence of morphogenic events occurring within Amsacta moorei entomopoxvirus-infected Estigmene acrea cells is presented. Stages in virion development, and the various cytopathic effects observed in these cells between 0 and 120 h post-infection (p.i.) are described. Events in the early stages of virion assembly (24 to 48 h p.i.), the formation of the outer viral membrane (48 to 72 h p.i.) and the development of occlusion bodies or spheroids (72 to 120 h p.i.) were identified. Cells grown in TC100 culture medium supported production of mature virus particles, the majority of which were either of the intracellular naked virion form, or mature virions incorporated into occlusion bodies. Only limited production of the extracellular enveloped form was observed in these cells.