First field tests with an American strain of the Nucleopolyhedrosis Virusfor the control of Lymantria dispar L. in Sardinia

Abstract: Small scale field tests with an American strain of the Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus, theactive ingredient of Gypchek®, were conducted for the first time in Sardinia during 2006-2007 onLymantria dispar larvae. Promising results were obtained by spraying the entomopathogenicformulation at different dosages on the cork-oaks trees infested by 2nd instar larvae of the gypsymoth. The mortality and the incubation period varied with the concentration of the viralpolyhedra. The Virus markedly affected the rate of development of lethally infected larvae.