The genome sequence of a Polish isolate of Agrotis segetum nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgseNPV-A) was determined and analysed. The circular genome is composed of 147 544 bp and has a G+C content of 45?7 mol%. It contains 153 putative, non-overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) encoding predicted proteins of more than 50 aa, together making up 89?8 % of the genome. The remaining 10?2 % of the DNA constitutes non-coding regions and homologous-repeat regions. One hundred and forty-three AgseNPV-A ORFs are homologues of previously reported baculovirus gene sequences. There are ten unique ORFs and they account for 3 % of the genome in total. All 62 lepidopteran baculovirus genes, including the 29 core baculovirus genes, were found in the AgseNPV-A genome. The gene content and gene order of AgseNPV-A are most similar to those of Spodoptera exigua (Se) multiple NPV and their shared homologous genes are 100 % collinear. Three putative enhancin genes were identified in the AgseNPV-A genome. In phylogenetic analysis, the AgseNPV-A enhancins form a cluster separated from enhancins of the Mamestra species NPVs.

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The crystal morphology and the profiles of genes encoding protein toxins (Cry and Cyt) were analyzed in 12 Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated during epizootics in laboratory culture lines of Cydia pomonella, 2 isolates cultured from Leucoma salicis larvae, and 9 reference strains. Epizootic isolates produced crystals of the same bipyramidal shape; however, they revealed a variety of number and type of cry genes. Genes cry1I, cry2Ab, and cry9B were the most frequently observed in epizootic strains. Gene cry1I was noted in of 50% epizootic isolates. Eighty-three percent of them harbored gene cry2Ab. Gene cry9B was found for 42% of strains isolated during epizootics. Three isolates showed the largest number of cry genes and their variety; hence, they were chosen for the toxicity assay of their crystals and spores on C. pomonella larvae. One of them had approximately sixfold higher insecticidal activity than the reference strain B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki BTK STANDARD.

The aim of the present article was to evaluate potential synergism between crystalline proteins produced by two Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner strains, MPU B6 and MPU B9, against beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Protein inclusions of bacterial strains were isolated from a spore‐crystal mixture. We estimated the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of crystals for S. exigua larvae. Insecticidal activity of MPU B6 and MPU B9 individual crystal preparations against caterpillars were determined and compared with the commercial pesticide Foray. Protein crystals of MPU B9 had the highest toxicity against S. exigua. The proteins were approximately 25× more toxic than Foray. Insecticidal activity of protein crystals of MPU B6 isolate was approximately 2.5× higher than that of Foray. A mixture of crystals suspensions of both isolates MPU B6/MPU B9 had an additive effect on S. exigua caterpillars. The high insecticidal potency of B. thuringiensis MPU B9 crystals against S. exigua predisposes the strain for additional studies on production of a new effective preparation against pest insects.

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Long standing systematic observations on Leucoma salicis populations revealed numerous occurrences of outbreaks and natural viral epizootics. Number of insects appearing in outbreaks at peak density ranged from 450 to 3250 on 10 examined poplar trees (up to 2 m height). Abundance of virus within population of such a high density increased along with an increase of insect population.Populations with high density and high level of nucleopolyhedrovirus (LesaMNPV) and cypovirus did not last long and collapsed suddenly.Outbreaks of the satin moth were favored by warm and humid conditions while warm and dry spring, summer months were conducive to viral epizootic. Most outbreaks happened in the years with mean temperatures of spring and summer months above 15°C and 50-60% RH while, most epizootics were recorded at similar temperature conditions but lower RH, i.e. 40-50%.