Mass production of insect cells in suspension.

The production of insect pathogenic viruses for the use in integrated pest control is presently done in vivo in populations of their natural hosts. However, efforts are made in several laboratories to produce some of these baculoviruses in insect cell cultures. The mass production of the viruses in vitro depends on a technology for the mass production of cells. Data are presented for the production of up to 10(10) insect cells per logarithmic growth phase in a continuously running fermenter culture at volumes of 9-10 litres.