W. B. Hunter, S. L. Lapointe
Journal of Insect Science 3 (37), 1-4, (1 December 2003) https://doi.org/10.1673/031.003.3701
KEYWORDS: citrus, Diaprepes abbreviatus, insect, Lethal-Male Delivery System, pathogen, suppression, virus, weevil
We here report the development and viral infection of a Diaprepes root weevil cell culture. Embryonic tissues of the root weevil were used to establish cell cultures for use in screening viral pathogens as potential biological control agents. Tissues were seeded into a prepared solution of insect medium and kept at a temperature of 24°C. The cell culture had primarily fibroblast-like morphology with some epithelial monolayers. Root weevil cells were successfully infected in vitro with a known insect virus, Invertebrate Iridescent Virus 6. Potential uses of insect cell cultures and insect viruses are discussed.
Invertebrate Iridescent Virus 6