Virus diseases of porina (Wiseanaspp.; Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

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Abstract
Three occluded viruses isolated from Wiseana sp. indet. larvae were experimentally transmitted through Wiseana larvae under field conditions. Wiseana iridescent virus was not transmitted. The only reasonable estimates of dosage : mortality relationships were for the nucleopolyhedrosis virus : LD50approx. 1.4×109 polyhedra per m2; LT50 approx. 250 days. Only lst‐instar larvae appear to be infectable, and this may also apply to the entomopox and granulosis viruses. The evidence suggests that, under certain conditions, simultaneous applications of the nucleopolyhedrosis and granulosis viruses resulted in a considerable reduction of susceptibility of larvae to nucleopolyhedrosis which was accompanied by a complete absence of infection by granulosis. However, simultaneous applications of the nucleopolyhedrosis and the entomopox viruses enhanced larval susceptibility to entomopox virus infection. The nucleopolyhedrosis virus could be useful as a long‐term biological control agent, and mass virus production in the field may make control economically viable.