Safety of UV-selected Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus to non-target beneficial organisms

The safety of the UV-selected Coimbatore isolate of Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV-UVT-CBEI) was tested against the non-target organisms viz., Trichogramma chilonis, Chrysoperla carnea, honey bee species and Bombyx mori to find out whether the cyclical exposure of HaNPV to ultra-violet (UV) radiation could cause adverse effect on the above organisms. The results showed that the HaNPV-UVT-CBEI had no adverse effect on the growth parameters, survival and production parameters of the organisms tested in comparison with the UV shielded HaNPV (HaNPV-UVS-CBEI). The cyclical exposure of HaNPV to UV radiation for the selection of UV tolerant strain did not have any deleterious effect on the safety of the virus to the non-target organisms.