Occurrence and genetic variability of CpGV infecting Cydia pomonella at different geographical locations in Argentina

ARNEODO, J. D.; FARINON, O. M.; SALVADOR, R.; EBERLE, K.; SCIOCCO-CAP, A.; JEHLE, J.; QUINTANA, G.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 45th Annual Meeting of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology; 2012

Society for Invertebrate Pathology (SIP)

Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) is world-wide used for the control of C. pomonella, a lepidopteran pest affecting apple, pear and walnut orchards. In Argentina, CpGV-based biopesticides have been employed in the field since the 1990s. As a part of a broader program for preventing host resistance to the virus, a survey was conducted at different apple, pear and walnut producing areas of the country in order to achieve a better understanding of the population dynamics of this entomopathogen. Third to 5th instar C. pomonella larvae were sampled in regions where the viral biopesticide has been extensively used and then discontinued, and in regions with occasional or no CpGV-based product application. Samples were analyzed through PCR with CpGV-specific primers. Preliminary results showed that CpGV could be detected in larvae collected in orchards with a long history of CpGV-based insecticides even several years after the end of the applications and in untreated orchards in the surrounding areas. However, until now no virus was detected in regions where a few sporadic treatments were performed and in geographical areas away from the application sites. With regard to the genetic variability, based on the sequencing of lef-8 and granulin genes, no distinct virus strains were recorded so far. Further samplings will provide a more comprehensive overview on this and other issues concerning the use of CpGV in integrated pest management programs.