Laboratory Evaluation of Dyes as Ultraviolet Screens for the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus

Abstract

Seventy-nine dyes were evaluated as radiation protectants for the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). Forty-one dyes (51.9% of total dye population) preserved 11-50% of original activity, and 18 dyes (22.8% of total population) were effective protectants (i.e., >50% original activity remaining). Five dyes (lissamine green, acridine yellow, brilliant yellow, alkali blue, and mercurochrome) were very effective (i.e., >70% original activity remaining), and one (congo red) provided complete protection (i.e., 100% original activity remaining). A high positive correlation (r = +0.845) was found between good protection and absorbance at 320-400 nm, whereas a lower correlation ( r = +0.568) was found between protection and absorbance at 280-320 nm.