Evaluation of the effect of MbNPV on cabbage moth, Plutella xylostella (Lep.: Plutellidae), in laboratory conditions

Cabbage moth, Plutella xylostella L., is the most important pest in cabbage and canola cultures in Iran. Nuclear polyhedrosis viruses are known as important natural enemies of this pest. Because of economic importance of cabbage moth and the necessity of its control, MbNPV (Baculoviridae) was chosen to evaluate its effect on cabbage moth. Experimental data showed that the virus had high virulence and could be considered as the important agent for the control of this insect. In infestation of egg surfaces with 1 Ã 105 PIB/ml of MbNPV, all of larvae died three days after hatching. The LC50 value for the second instar larvae of cabbage moth was calculated 11.99 PIB/mm2. The LT50 values for the same larvae with 19.5 and 47.86 PIB/mm2 doses of MbNPV were 7.16 and 6.11 days, respectively. Mean percentages of mortality with 47.86 PIB/mm2 for 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae were 74.44, 42.78 and 11.11, respectively.