Synergy of Lepidopteran Nucleopolyhedroviruses AcMNPV and SpliNPV with Insecticides.

The joint use of baculoviruses and synthetic insecticides for integrated pest management requires the study of the additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects among them on pest mortality. Droplet bioassays were conducted with multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV) and seven insecticides (azadirachtin, , cyantraniliprole, emamectin, metaflumizone, methoxyfenozide and spinetoram) on and . The lethal concentrations LC and LC were calculated through probit regressions. Then, the sequential feeding of insecticides and nucleopolyhedroviruses was studied. Larvae were provided with the LC of one insecticide, followed by the LC of one nucleopolyhedrovirus 24 h later. The inverse order was also conducted. The insecticide LC and LC were higher for than for . AcMNPV showed greater toxicity on than SpliNPV on . Emamectin showed synergy with AcMNPV when the chemical was applied first, and metaflumizone and AcMNPV were synergistic regardless of the order of application, both from the first day of evaluation. SpliNPV was synergistic with azadirachtin and emamectin when it was applied first, but synergy was reached after 12-13 days. Excellent control is possible with the LC of azadirachtin, emamectin and metaflumizone in combination with nucleopolyhedroviruses, and merits further study as a means of controlling lepidopteran pests.