Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Dead larvae of Spodoptera litura were collected from different parts of Bengaluru. Some larvae were diseased and the cuticles were ruptured, discharging of white body fluid on plant parts. Spodoptera litura Nucleo polyhedro viruses were isolated from the diseased larvae of various populations of Spodoptera litura. Observation of discharged body fluid under light microscope revealed that the large number of spherical particles resembling as viral occlusion bodies (OBs). The virus was characterized as Spodoptera litura nucleo polyhedro virus (SpliNPV) based on morphological and biological characterisation. Scanning electron microscopy of POBs purified from diseased larvae revealed polyhedral particles of size approximately 0.860-2.171. µm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of the POBs revealed the irregular and tetrahedral shape. The bioassay study showed highest LC₅₀ values of NPV against 3^rd instar larvae of Spodoptera litura indicated 15679.1 POBs/ml, against second instar larvae indicated 11231.5 POBs/ml and against first instar larvae LC₅₀ was 8430.4 POBs/ml.