The properties of three baculoviruses from closely related hosts.

The baculoviruses of three important and closely related pest insects, Spodoptera littoralis, S. exempta and S. frugiperda, were purified and several of their properties were compared. These include data on virus morphology, physical properties of the virus particle, serological properties, structural polypeptides, and viral DNA. The effect of the endogenous polyhedron alkaline protease on the polyhedron and virus particle proteins was also investigated. Biochemical and biophysical differences between the viruses were found which were reflected in their serological properties. The feasibility of using a simple serological technique for specific identification of each virus has been demonstrated.