A small RNA virus isolated from the grass grub, <i>Costelytra zealandica</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

Abstract A virus, designated Flock House virus (FHV), was isolated from grass grubs, Costelytra zealandica (White), using a continuous line of Drosophila melanogaster cells. The isometric virus particles had capsid diameters of about 29 nm and contained RNA. Serological tests showed that FHV is related but not identical to BBV, a virus described from the black beetle, Heteronychus arator (F.).