[Detection of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus DNA in samples from eggs and caterpillars at different stages of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) population dynamics].

The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) DNA was detected in samples from eggs and caterpillars of the gypsy moth collected in natural populations of the Western Siberia and Ural by means of PCR with primers corresponding to the polyhedrin gene. According to censuring data, the gypsy moth populations of Western Siberia were at the depression stage. The NPV DNA detection frequencies in eggs (8.6 +/- 4.8% - 13.6 +/- 5.2%) and caterpillars (21.0 +/- 6.3% - 22.2 +/- 6.7%) were not significantly differed. In the Urals, collection of the insects was performed in their gradation focus at the phase of maximal abundance. The DNA detection rate in eggs (11.4 +/- 5.0%) was confidently (p < 0.001) lower than in caterpillars (59.8 +/- 5.6%). Consequently, variations of the NPV infection prevalence during ontogenesis of Lymantria dispar (L.) was associated with the gradation cycle of the insect population dynamics.