MULTIPLICATION OF SPODOPTERA-LITTORALIS GRANULOSIS-VIRUS IN A CELL-LINE ESTABLISHED FROM PHTHORIMAEA-OPERCULELLA

A complete replication of the Spodoptera littoralis granulosis virus ( SpliGV) was obtained in vitro by both virus infection and DNA transfec tion in the ORS-Pop-BS (Pop-95) cell line established from embryonic c ells of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella. SpliGV multipl ied significantly during several passages in Pop-95 cells at 19 degree s C. When the cells were infected and kept at 19 degrees C for the fir st 4 hrs and then at 27 degrees C for the rest of the experiment (20 d ays), the viral multiplication proceeded at the same rate. Comparison of SpliGV progenies, multiplied either in vivo or in vitro, using elec tron microscopy and restiction profile analysis, showed their identity .