[Comparative characteristics of nuclear polyhedrosis virus isolates from gypsy moth Lymantria dispar L].

Eight strains of Gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) were isolated from dead larvae in Kirghizia and Tyumen and Novosibirsk districts. The strains were characterized in terms of polyhedron morphology, biological activity, virus production, and restriction analysis of DNA. The isolated strains did not differ in size or shape of polyhedrons. NPV strain NSHN-2 was characterized by the highest biological activity (LD50 = 1.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) and maximum production: 7.3 x 10(8) PIB/larva in comparison with the rest isolated strains. This strain is proposed for the manufacture of an insecticide.