Ultraviolet Protectants of the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus

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Abstract
Materials were evaluated which had been used previously as ultraviolet (UV) protectants or feeding stimulants for other insect pathogens. Dar-mol molasses, Shade, and Coax provided good protection at a 5% concentration. Materials were also evaluated which are active ingredients in sunscreens for human usage. All materials, with the exception of homomenthyl salicylate and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, at least doubled viral persistence. All p-aminobenzoic acid compounds enhanced persistence 2.2 tp 2.6-fold, whereas benzilidine sulfonic acid enhanced persistence 3.6-fold at a 5% concentration. Excellent results were obtained with benzilidine sulfonic acid, whether diet or red oak seedlings were used as the test substrates. A high positive correlation (r = + 0.84) existed between UV B absorbance (280 to 320 nm) and UV protection among the water soluble sunscreens.