ISOLATION OF AN ENTOMOPATHOGENIC VIRUS IN THE GREEN STINK BUG NEZARA VIRIDULA (LINNAEUS) IN EGYPT
ISOLATION OF AN ENTOMOPATHOGENIC VIRUS IN THE GREEN STINK BUG NEZARA VIRIDULA (LINNAEUS) IN EGYPT
AdlyAbd-Alla1,2, MahaNada3, Francois Cousserans1, and Max Bergoin1
ABSTRACT
The green stink bug Nezaraviridula is an important economic pest in Egypt and in
many countries around the world and requires control management measures. During the
establishment of a N. viridulacolony in Egypt, a significant reduction in the insect
productivity and high mortality rate were observed. Electron microscopy examination of dead
insects homogenate revealed the presence of paraspherical virus like-particles with diameter
of 25 nm. Virus purification on cesium chloride gradient showed one band at a buoyant
density of 1.362. Extraction of nucleic acid from purified virus particles revealed a ~9 kb
ssRNA linear genome and analysis of capsids showed two major proteins of 31 and 32 kDa
and a minor 78 kDa protein. Infection of third instar nymphs by feeding on contaminated food
induced similar disease symptoms and bioassay experiment confirmed virus concentration
response mortality. Injection of a purified virus suspension to third instar larvae of Galleria
melonella and Spodopteralittoralis failed to induce any mortality indicating that the virus is
most likely host specific to N. viridula. This virus is similar to the previously reported NVV-1
virus in N. viridula from South Africa strongly suggesting that NVV-1 is widely distributed in
Africa and might play an important role in regulating the insect population in field conditions
or could be used to control this pest in heavily infested areas.
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July 2014
Vol. 11, Iss. 2, Pages 1-310
