Diversity of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Viruses on Lepidopteran Pests on Cruciferae in West Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

Nuclear Poyhedrosis Virus (NPV) is one of biological control agents that can be incorporated in Integrated Pest Management to support  sustainable agriculture. A study was conducted to determine the diversity of  NPV on lepidopteran pests on cruciferae in West Sumatera. Larvae of Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera exigua, Plutella xylostella, dan Crocidolomia binotalis were collected from cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, shallot, and leaf onion in three cruciferae production  districts and then they were brought to laboratory for the observation of NPV infection.  The results showed that there were only three larvae of Spodoptera exigua got infected by NPV called SeNPV. No other larvae of  lepidopteran species collected were infected.  Propagation of the SeNPV obtained  was done but the pathogenisity was low with the mortality 12%.  It could be due to the low concentration of its polyhedra.