Mediated Pathogenicity of the Baculovirus HzSNPV by the Venom from Euplectrus comstockii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Possible approaches for the biological control of larvae of Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens include the engineering of toxins into the baculovirus genome of the Helicoverpa zea singly embedded/enveloped nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HzSNPV). A study was designed to investigate the compatibility of the venom from the parasitic hymenopteran species Euplectrus comstockii with the pathogenicity of HzSNPV. The presence of the baculovirus did not alter the ability of the venom to arrest ecdysis in larvae of H. zea. Venom administered after the consumption of HzSNPV increased the LT50 (delayed virus-induced mortality), but did not significantly alter the LD50 (amount of virus-induced mortality). The presence of the venom prior to consumption of the baculovirus caused a substantial delay in viral initial mortality and also reduced the total mortality. Surface response equations were developed to visualize the effect of the venom on the virosis caused by HzSNPV.