AN ENTOMOPOXVIRUS FOUND IN POPULATIONS OF THE LARGE ASPEN TORTRIX, CHORISTONEURA CONFLICTANA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) IN ONTARIO

Abstract

AbstractA previously undescribed entomopoxvirus was isolated from larvae of Choristoneura conflictana Wlk. Samples of larvae taken from several points in Ontario indicated that the virus was widespread in the Province.The morphology of the virus is described. The inclusion bodies are larger than those of another entomopoxvirus originally isolated from Choristoneura biennis Free. and propogated in Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.). The virions are of the same order of size for both viruses. Microspindles are associated with these viruses and some of the spindles are occluded along with the virions within the oval inclusion bodies. The C. conflictana entomopoxvirus is also infectious to C. fumiferana.