Use of Viruses Against Soybean Caterpillars in Brazil

Abstract

Among the lepidopterous insects associated with soybeans in Brazil, the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, is the most important and widespread defoliator, seconded by species of Plusiinae, such as Pseudoplusia includens and Rachiplusia nu, which are of lesser importance but usually occur associated with populations of A. gemmatalis. Research with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of A. gemmatalis (AgNPV) has led to a wide-scale use of the pathogen at farmer level, estimated in ca. 1,000,000 hectares annually. Most of its production has been carried out by estate organizations and farmer cooperatives, but at present four private companies are commercializing the AgNPV as a biological pesticide. NPVs of the Plusiinae complex are also being developed as a microbial insecticide, through a cooperative effort between Brazilian, Argentinian, and Uruguaian researchers. Research developments with the AgNPV, progress in its use at farmer level, and the work being carried out with baculoviruses of other soybean insects are discussed.