VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES IN THE POISON GLAND OF THE PARASITIC WASP OPIUS CONCOLOR

Virus-like particles (VLP's) have been found in the poison glands of a dult females of the parasitic wasp Opius concolor Szepl. (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). These VLP's are found in the secretory cells either free in the cytoplasm or within cytoplasmic vesicles, sometimes associated to a secretory apparatus. Negative staining of these VLP's has reveal ed the occurrence of two different particles. The first type exhibits icosahedral symmetry (diameter around 70 nm) and hollow surface spikes , this morphology being typical of the genus Cypovirus (Reoviridae). T he other type is pleomorphic and presents an envelope with club-shaped projections (diameter ranging from 30 to 60 nm), as classical textboo k examples of Coronaviruses, but smaller. Function and full characteri sation of these particles are not yet known.