Effect of Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus on Selected Mammalian Predators of the Gypsy Moth

R.A. Lautenschlager; C.H. Kircher; John Podgwaite

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Effect of Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus on Selected Mammalian Predators of the Gypsy Moth

Informally Refereed

Authors:

R.A. Lautenschlager, C.H. Kircher, John Podgwaite

Year:

1977

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-377. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Experiment Station. 6p.

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Download (PDF 627 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/14510.pdf

Abstract

Nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) of the gypsy moth was fed to three mammalian predators of the insect: the white-footed mouse, the short-tailed shrew, and the Virginia opposum in the form of NPV-infected 5th instar gypsy moth larvae, polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB's) mixed in dog food and PIB's mixed in a standard spray formulation. The total amount of NPV consumed by each treated mouse and shrew was equivalent to more than a 40-ha exposure for a 7Okg person, assuming the NPV was applied at the rate of 5.0 x 10¹¹ PIB's/ha. Analyses of general body condition, weight, and reproductive efficiency, as well as necropsy and microscopic examination of tissues, indicated that the ingestion of NPV had no short-term effect on these predators of the gypsy moth.

Citation

Lautenschlager, R.A.; Kircher, C.H.; Podgwaite, J.D. 1977. Effect of Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus on Selected Mammalian Predators of the Gypsy Moth. Res. Pap. NE-377. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Experiment Station. 6p.