Granulovirus formulations efficiently protect stored and field potatoes from Phthorimaea operculella and Tecia solanivora in Costa Rica

The control efficiency of a Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus isolate from Costa Rica (PhopGV-CR1) against the concurrent insect pests P. operculella (Zeller) and Tecia solanivora (Povolny) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was evaluated. In warehouses, the best control efficiency was achieved with a powder formulate applied inside bags, which reduced injury over 70 % compared with the untreated controls. In the field, liquid and powder virus formulations significantly reduced injury between 56.2 and 81.7 % compared with the untreated controls, and were as efficient as chemical treatments. The efficiency of formulations stored at −20 °C for six months (liquid) or at ambient temperature for three months (powder) was maintained, but higher temperatures and/or longer exposure times resulted in loss of pathogenicity. The data presented here favor the inclusion of granulovirus formulations of PhopGV-CR1 in Integrated Pest Management programs against tuberworms in Costa Rica and give clues on storage conditions for the growers in this country.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Gómez-Bonilla, Yannery, López-Ferber, Miguel, Caballero, Primitivo, Murillo, Rosa, Muñoz, Delia
Format:	artículo biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Springer 2013-04
Subjects:	Phthorimaea operculella, Tecia solanivora, Baculoviruses, Granuloviruses, PhopGV, Microbial control,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/10261/94100
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