Studies on a Virus Isolated from Gonometa podocarpi (Lepidoptera:Lasiocampidae)

Abstract

SUMMARY Some properties of a small RNA virus isolated from larvae of Gonometa podocarpi (Lepidoptera:Lasiocampidae) are described. The virus develops in the cytoplasm of gut and fat body and is 32 nm in diameter. The sedimentation coefficient of virus was 180S and the buoyant density was 1.35 g/cm3. The RNA:protein ratio was 37:63 and the RNA was single-stranded. Four principal polypeptides were found with mol. wt. in the range 12 100 to 36 500. It is proposed that this virus be included in the enterovirus group.