Gypsy Moth Management with LdMNPV Baculovirus in Cork Oak Forest

Luca Ruiu,Roberto Mannu,Maurizio Olivieri,Andrea Lentini

doi:10.3390/f12040495

Abstract

(1) Research Highlights: Applications of a species-specific baculovirus is a promising method to control the gypsy moth and regulate its population dynamics in forest ecosystems. (2) Background and Objectives: Cork oak protection against the Lepidopteran defoliator Lymantria dispar requires an appropriate forest ecosystem management program, involving the application of eco-sustainable microbial products during population outbreaks. The species-specific multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV), agent of natural epizootics in gypsy moth populations, represents an option that was investigated in a multi-year field study, involving viral applications either from the ground or by aerial treatment. (3) Materials and Methods: Efficacy trials against L. dispar populations were conducted in 2018 and 2019 in Sardinia, according to a randomized block design. Each year, two trials were conducted, applying a baculovirus commercial formulation with an atomizer from the ground and assessing the effects of different doses and application timing, respectively. An aerial application trial distributing LdMNPV at ultra-low volumes (2 L/ha) was also conducted in 2019 to assess the virus efficacy at a larger field scale. (4) Results: In both years, a significant increase in larval mortality was detected in plots treated with higher viral occlusion body (OB) doses and with an earlier application targeting younger larvae, in comparison with untreated controls. Due to an observed retrogradation phase of the target pest in 2019, no significant differences in larval density between areas treated from a helicopter and control were detected, but in the few weeks following application, a meaningful vitality decrease in larval samples from treated plots was observed. (5) Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the use of LdMNPV in forest protection programs against gypsy moth can be worth consideration in multi-year integrated program strategies to modulate population dynamics.

Highlights

IntroductionLymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), known as gypsy moth, is a univoltine species whose larvae, hatching from overwintering eggs, cause significant damages to cork oak leaves
In the experiments conducted with applications from the ground, the lethal were dose- and time-dependent, with a higher efficacy achieved with higher doses and effects were dose- and time-dependent, with a higher efficacy achieved with higher doses earlier treatments. These results align with a pathogenic process that begins with the inand earlier treatments. These results align with a pathogenic process that begins with the gestion of occlusion bodies (OBs) releasing occlusion-derived viruses (ODVs) that act in ingestion of occlusion bodies (OBs) releasing occlusion-derived viruses (ODVs) that act in the midgut, infecting epithelial cells [20]
Based on the obtained results in small-scale trials, L. dispar showed a significant susceptibility to the Lymantria dispar multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) formulation, when applied at higher doses and against younger larvae

Summary

Introduction

Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), known as gypsy moth, is a univoltine species whose larvae, hatching from overwintering eggs, cause significant damages to cork oak leaves. The combination of their feeding behavior and a high biotic potential are the cause of periodic outbreaks, determining wide forest defoliations [1]. The risks of possible side-effects on non-target lepidoptera inhabiting the forest ecosystem have sometimes been reported [4] Another group of entomopathogens is represented by baculoviruses, very specific microorganisms co-evolved with their host [5] and able to cause fatal infections to larvae after the ingestion of viral particles. Due to an observed retrogradation phase of the target pest in 2019, no significant differences in larval density between areas treated from a helicopter and control were detected, but in the few weeks following application, a meaningful vitality decrease in larval samples from treated plots was observed. (5) Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the use of LdMNPV in forest protection programs against gypsy moth can be worth consideration in multi-year integrated program strategies to modulate population dynamics.

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion